GRAND FORKS, ND (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Jody Hodgson, Assistant Director of Facilities for Tacoma, Washington, has been named the new General Manager of the Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Hodgson won out over sixty applicants.
Owen Nitz, chairman of the Board of Directors for the arena said “We are grateful for the large number of very qualified individuals from all across the nation who sought this position, including a number of local candidates. Nitz said “This was a difficult decision for the search committee because of the quality of the competition. We are confident Jody Hodgson has the experience and proven record in facility management which will translate into great success for the Ralph Engelstad Arena.”
Hodgson is an assembly management industry veteran who currently oversees the day-to-day activities of a 23,000 seat multi-purpose sport and entertainment facility and a 30,000 square foot exhibition hall. He managed the booking operations for the largest arena in the Pacific Northwest while being responsible for all facility activities and a full-time staff of 32 people. With a hockey background, Jody served in management capacities for the Tacoma Sabercats (WCHL) and the San Francisco Spiders (IHL). He has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Brandon University (Brandon, Manitoba) and a Master’s Degree in Sports Management from the United States Sports Academy (Daphne, Alabama).
Hodgson said “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to manage what is recognized as the finest facility of its kind in the world. I am committed to fulfilling the late Ralph Engelstad’s vision for the benefits his gift will bring to the University of North Dakota and to Grand Forks. My family and I are excited to be moving to Grand Forks, a city I visited as a youth hockey player during my growing up days in Manitoba.”
He will begin his General Manager duties on July 1. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers