Play - For the Fun of It
Play - For the Fun of It
From arts and entertainment shows to sports and the outdoors, Spartans are involved in creating a wide range of novel experiences and special memories for thousands of people each day. They are using their expertise to constantly refresh the world of fun, including family-oriented adventure parks and Disney resorts, world-class golf courses, performing arts venues, music festivals, a water show and even a rodeo. The work of making fun is never done.
April 1, 2020
JOEL COWLEY
President and CEO, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Cowley has a long family history of involvement with agriculture and livestock and has fond memories of raising livestock for 4-H programs as a boy. Those experiences helped shape his career path, and at one time he worked fulltime as a beef cattle specialist for MSU’s Extension Service. He began working at the Houston Rodeo in 2005 as the executive director of agricultural exhibits and competitions and was promoted to president and CEO in 2013. Now he is responsible for corralling the efforts of 35,000 volunteers and 120 full-time staff who pull off the 23-day event, which draws more than 34,000 livestock show entries and more than 2.5 million attendees. It also features a carnival and A-list musical performances, among other attractions.
MORE: rodeohouston.com
MARK BINGEMAN
President, Bingemans Grand Experiences
Bingemans, a huge entertainment and event complex on 170 acres in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, has been a family enterprise for three generations. From weddings and conferences to paintball, camping and water slides, the options are seemingly endless, including an arcade and indoor playground for rainy days. And it’s still growing. As president of the business since 1994, Mark Bingeman sees change as essential to success. As he told Exchange Magazine while plans were underway to revamp the venue’s famed Oktoberfest, “It’s very much a mature festival, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it usually means that it’s time to be pushing the envelope and looking for change.”
MORE: bingemans.com
JENNIFER TURNER
President and CEO, Tennessee Performing Arts Center
Turner leads a major player in Nashville’s arts and cultural scene through the nonprofit Tennessee Performing Arts Center. In addition to hosting productions from three resident artistic companies—Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera and Nashville Repertory Theatre—the center supports a large comprehensive arts education program, serving students from preschool to high school as well as educators and adults. Turner, a past president of the Chicago Spartans Alumni Club and co-founder of its annual Sparty Ball fundraiser, joined TPAC last spring after filling leadership roles in several other performing arts venues.
MORE: tpac.org
MARK ADKINS
CEO, Soul Beach Music Festival, Aruba
As CEO of the Soul Beach festival since 2001, Adkins has been bringing musicians, comedians and more to the island of Aruba to fill five days of shows and parties over Memorial Day weekend. The festival celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and has announced headlining performances from Mariah Carey, The Roots and Deon Cole. Adkins has also worked in the Los Angeles area since 1990 as a manager for entertainers through his company ML Management.
MORE: soulbeach.net/2020
CHRIS LUTZKE
Principal, Albanese & Lutzke
Lutzke met Paul Albanese in 1992, when both were associates with renowned Michigan golf course architect Jerry Matthews. The pair spent hours discussing golf course architecture and finally joined forces in 2004 to form a golf course design and construction management firm. Their Plymouth, Michigan-based company has worked on some of the world’s finest courses. Lutzke worked with famed golf course architect Pete Dye, known for his innovative construction renovation practices, for over 30 years until Dye’s death in January. He joined Dye’s team right out of high school, picking up sticks and doing odd jobs. While he keeps a low profile, preferring to be out in the dirt, Lutzke’s credits include Eagle Eye Golf Club in Lansing, Teeth of the Dog in the Dominican Republic, the Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Resort in Indiana, Old Marsh in West Palm Beach, Florida, and many others. He and Dye’s team recently led a renovation of Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, to host the 2020 Ryder Cup while bringing “a hint of the Emerald Isle.”
MORE: golf-designs.com
BILL KONING
Regional Manager, Chicken N Pickle
One man’s love for delicious, wood-fired chicken and the game of pickleball led to the 2016 founding of Chicken N Pickle’s flagship location in Kansas City, Kansas. It has quickly become a popular destination for food and fun. Koning helped launch the business as general manager, after stints in similar roles at Newport Grill and Red Robin. It has expanded to Wichita, Kansas, and San Antonio, with locations planned in Oklahoma City and Overland Park, Kansas. The original restaurant features eight pickleball courts (including four indoors), a bar and entertainment space, outdoor lawn games and fire pits.
MORE: chickennpickle.com
JILL DIEHL
Executive Vice President and General Manager, Tommy Bartlett, Inc.
Diehl traces her connection to Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, a scenic tourist destination and home of Tommy Bartlett, back to her youth, when she traveled from her home in New York to spend every summer in the area until her family moved there permanently in 1975. Her father, Tom Diehl, now president and co-owner of the company, has worked there since Jill was a child. Jill began at age 10, performing and working at the snack bar. After launching her career, Diehl eventually returned to the company, moving into a full-time management role in 2011. She is now involved in all facets of the management and oversight of the organization, which is known for its thrilling summer waterski shows on Lake Delton and operates an interactive science center.
MORE: tommybartlett.com
CLARE A. PFEIFFER
Director of Communications & Engagement, Edsel and Eleanor Ford House
Pfeiffer was promoted to director last summer at Ford House, the historic estate of Edsel and Eleanor Ford, after joining the organization in 2014. She leads a team handling media, digital content, community outreach, membership and event planning for the estate in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan. The family home of Henry Ford’s only son, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 2017. Since 1978, Ford House has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to experience the home life of a prominent American family. Before joining Ford House, Pfeiffer spent her early career at newspapers and was director of communications for the Detroit regional arts and culture nonprofit CultureSource.
MORE: fordhouse.org
Contributing Writer(s): Nancy Nilles
