PRESS RELEASES

Shelli Herman and Associates Seeks Inaugural Chief Commercial Officer for Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority

The Organization

The Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority is a prominent organization that operates three outstanding venues, fostering regional growth and serving as hubs for innovation, collaboration, and community engagement in Omaha.

Since starting operations on August 25, 2000, under a long-term agreement with the City of Omaha to build and manage CHI Health Center Omaha, the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA) has played a vital role in constructing and activating public event venues. This has catalyzed revitalization, enriched the city’s offerings, created destination-worthy events and spaces, and driven economic activity. Each property entrusted to MECA has been thoughtfully designed to support artists, host dynamic events, and foster connections across diverse fields, creating a vibrant environment where talent can flourish and ideas come alive. In 2009, MECA played a pivotal part in another public-private project, creating a new home for the NCAA Men’s College World Series. The groundbreaking for Charles Schwab Field Omaha occurred that year, and the stadium opened in 2011. MECA’s most recent public-private initiative involved developing The RiverFront, a 72-acre amenity-rich open space that unifies the community, two neighborhoods, and three parks. This work has only been possible through the continual generosity of Omaha’s philanthropic community, which has entrusted MECA with these spaces time and again. That trust carries a responsibility MECA does not take lightly: to design, build, and manage each property to the highest standard, for the benefit of the community it serves. Together, these three venues have welcomed over 35 million visitors and generated more than $2 billion in economic impact for the Omaha area. MECA’s ambitions extend well beyond what has already been built, with continued growth and new development already taking shape across its portfolio.

The Opportunity

In January 2026, MECA welcomed Adam Straight as its President and Chief Executive Officer. He will work closely with the inaugural Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), who will be a critical driver to ensure MECA achieves its strategic goals. This executive oversees sponsorships, premium seating, corporate partnerships, business development, naming rights, hospitality sales, and other commercial initiatives to maximize revenue while strengthening the MECA brand and enhancing the guest experience. The CCO will strategically blend high-impact, relationship-driven deal-making with rigorous, data-driven performance management to leverage MECA’s unique platform spanning sport, culture, and commerce that serves the Omaha community, thereby maximizing long-term enterprise value. This leader is positioned at the intersection of commercial strategy and ground-level operations; they will optimize sales team performance by structuring methods, tools, and tracking metrics. They will exuberantly promote the use of all event spaces to drive a 365-day utilization mindset across all MECA facilities. This role demands dual expertise: strategic vision combined with operational mastery.

The CCO translates commercial goals into tangible, measurable outcomes and, as the orchestrator of daily commercial operations, collaborates closely with Executive Leadership Team colleagues to ensure steady performance and long-term growth. This role includes leading all sales initiatives, prioritizing innovation and strategic foresight, while developing, executing, and overseeing a high-caliber team. MECA seeks a standard-setter who will pioneer innovative solutions while consistently achieving ambitious commercial and revenue goals. The ideal candidate is a creative sales strategist who can craft and implement plans to boost revenue organization-wide and find inventive solutions to complex problems. The CCO oversees all booking activity across MECA’s sites, with a focus on maximizing revenue, expanding MECA’s national and global reputation, and delivering a world-class calendar of live entertainment, sports, and special events.

Work Environment

MECA’s CCO serves as an on-site leader, playing a central role in Omaha’s placemaking, tourism, and economic development. They are expected to reside in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area, engaging and catalyzing the community. While some remote work is anticipated, this executive will be a visible, engaged leader in the city.

Compensation

The total annual cash compensation for this position will generally be in the mid-$300,000s, comprising a base salary and a discretionary, performance-based bonus. This is augmented by relocation assistance and a highly competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death, and disability insurance, as well as short- and long-term disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, a 401(k) plan, a deferred compensation plan, and paid time off. The final offer will depend on various factors, including educational qualifications, training, years of experience, and performance in prior positions.

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