Executive Bios
Test Name
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Test Test, one of the most intriguing and powerful sports business figures on the West Coast, is the 31-year-old owner of the Los Angeles Avengers. He is also the chairman and chief executive officer of the Wasserman Media Group. Since forming WMG in 1998, Wasserman has steadily built the company into a powerhouse in the sports and entertainment world by integrating the management, marketing and content businesses. WMG's complementary divisions collectively represent some of the industries' most recognized athletes and brands. WMG, which is also the holding company for the Los Angeles Avengers, has offices in Los Angeles, New York, North Carolina, San Diego and London. Ever since becoming the youngest owner of a professional sports team when he purchased the Avengers, Wasserman has been extremely active within the Arena Football League and currently serves as its chairman. In 2002, he negotiated the league's groundbreaking national television partnership with NBC and collective bargaining agreement with its players. Both landmark deals paved the way for the AFL to join the top tier of sports properties in America. Wasserman also serves as president and chief executive officer of the Wasserman Foundation. He also serves as a board member of New York University, The William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library Foundation, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Jules Stein Eye Institute. Wasserman has been widely acknowledged by peers and the industry for his accomplishments. The Sports Business Journal has recognized Wasserman with their "Forty Under 40" accolade twice, a USC study named Wasserman as one of the "20 most influential sports business figures in Southern California," and UCLA named him in its "100 Significant UCLA Alumni" list. Recently Wasserman ranked prominently in the Los Angeles Business Journal's annual "Making a Mark" list, which acknowledges the 25 most powerful Angelenos. Wasserman holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California at Los Angeles.
John Tamanaha
Vice President of Communications
John Tamanaha, the vice president of communications for the Los Angeles Avengers, oversees the day-to-day public relations for the franchise. He has been with the Avengers since the identity of the team was unveiled on June 14, 1999. Tamanaha's duties include serving as the team's official spokesman, handling all media relations issues, supervising community relations efforts, overseeing all television and radio broadcasting partnerships and maintaining the Avengers' innovative website. He is a member of the Arena Football League's Media Policy Committee and has assisted with press operations at the past six ArenaBowls and Super Bowl XXXVII. Tamanaha is also an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California, teaching a sports public relations class within the Annenberg School of Journalism. In addition, he is a college football columnist for www.NBCSports.com and works for the Sports USA Radio Network, which broadcasts a nationally syndicated "College Football Game of the Week" and two NFL games each weekend during the fall. Prior to joining the Avengers, Tamanaha spent four years as an assistant sports information director at USC. During his time with the Trojans, he was the men's basketball sports information director for three seasons (1996-98) and handled football interviews and credentials for one season (1998). He also served as the primary contact for USC track & field and golf, and held the title of director of athletic publications, coordinating the production of all Trojan game-day programs and media guides. In 1992, Tamanaha earned a bachelor's degree in English (creative writing) from USC, where he served as the sports editor of the Daily Trojan in 1990 and 1991. Following graduation, he was the editor of USC Report for three years and covered various assignments for the Associated Press and Los Angeles Times. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Tamanaha resides in Los Angeles.
Sarah Snow
Senior Director of Finance
Dean Christopher, the senior director of finance for the Los Angeles Avengers, is in his second year with the franchise. He oversees all financial issues associated to the team. Prior to joining the Avengers, Christopher was the assistant director of finance for the Los Angeles Dodgers for two seasons. He was primarily responsible for financial reporting, strategic planning, forecasting and financial analysis. Christopher was involved with a wide array of strategic projects for the Dodgers, including assisting in the sale of the team to Frank McCourt. Christopher has seven years of experience in public accounting, which began in 1996 within the audit practice of Arthur Andersen. Three years later, he moved over to PricewaterhouseCoopers as a manager of transaction services, performing due diligence for companies involved in mergers, acquisitions or divestitures. While with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Christopher worked with a range of public and private companies as well as private equity funds, including Ford Motor Company, Avery Dennison and Whitney & Company. Originally from West Bloomfield, Mich., Christopher is a CPA and graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in general studies, featuring a concentration in accounting. He and his wife, Jessica, reside in Los Angeles.
Ingrid Ipod
Director of Ticket Operations
Todd Tippett, the director of ticket operations for the Los Angeles Avengers, is in his fifth season with the franchise. He specializes in all aspects of ticketing and customer service. Tippett works closely with STAPLES Center and Ticketmaster while selecting seat locations and fulfilling season ticket accounts. Prior to joining the Avengers in April of 2002, Tippett was the ticket operations manager for the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer for three seasons (1999-2001). He also was in charge of ticketing for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, which was the largest attended women's sporting event in history. Tippett has worked within the ticketing business since 1989, when he began his career at the corporate office of Ticketmaster. In seven years with the company that handles just about all of the seating for concerts, theaters and sporting events, Tippett was involved with every facet of ticketing. A graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in business (entrepreneur program), Tippett and his wife, Pat, reside in San Dimas with their four children, Marty, Bianca, Tiana and Tristan.
Holly Hooter
Director of Football Operations
Jason McKay, the director of football operations for the Los Angeles Avengers, is in his second season with the franchise. He is responsible for implementing the organizational strategy for football operations, working closely with head coach Ed Hodgkiss and his staff to determine the composition of the Avenger roster and develop long-term strategies to ensure the team's success. McKay is also responsible for negotiating all player contracts, overseeing compliance with the Arena Football League's salary cap policies and monitoring the football operations budget each year. In his first season with the club in 2005, the Avengers captured their first Western Division championship and came within a game of securing the top seed in the AFL Playoffs. McKay came to the Avengers after five years with the Dallas Cowboys, working under vice president Stephen Jones in the player personnel department. In addition, McKay handled salary cap management, player contracts and player benefits for the Dallas Desperados franchise, which is also owned and operated by the Jones family. He joined the Cowboys in 1993, working in various areas, including the Cowboys' Pro Shop and gameday merchandising at Texas Stadium. McKay graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in mechanical engineering technology. A native of Dallas, he resides in Los Angeles.
Albert Afghan
President and CEO
Casey Wasserman, one of the most intriguing and powerful sports business figures on the West Coast, is the 31-year-old owner of the Los Angeles Avengers. He is also the chairman and chief executive officer of the Wasserman Media Group. Since forming WMG in 1998, Wasserman has steadily built the company into a powerhouse in the sports and entertainment world by integrating the management, marketing and content businesses. WMG's complementary divisions collectively represent some of the industries' most recognized athletes and brands. WMG, which is also the holding company for the Los Angeles Avengers, has offices in Los Angeles, New York, North Carolina, San Diego and London. Ever since becoming the youngest owner of a professional sports team when he purchased the Avengers, Wasserman has been extremely active within the Arena Football League and currently serves as its chairman. In 2002, he negotiated the league's groundbreaking national television partnership with NBC and collective bargaining agreement with its players. Both landmark deals paved the way for the AFL to join the top tier of sports properties in America. Wasserman also serves as president and chief executive officer of the Wasserman Foundation. He also serves as a board member of New York University, The William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library Foundation, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Jules Stein Eye Institute. Wasserman has been widely acknowledged by peers and the industry for his accomplishments. The Sports Business Journal has recognized Wasserman with their "Forty Under 40" accolade twice, a USC study named Wasserman as one of the "20 most influential sports business figures in Southern California," and UCLA named him in its "100 Significant UCLA Alumni" list. Recently Wasserman ranked prominently in the Los Angeles Business Journal's annual "Making a Mark" list, which acknowledges the 25 most powerful Angelenos. Wasserman holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California at Los Angeles.
Abe Adams
President and CEO
Casey Wasserman, one of the most intriguing and powerful sports business figures on the West Coast, is the 31-year-old owner of the Los Angeles Avengers. He is also the chairman and chief executive officer of the Wasserman Media Group. Since forming WMG in 1998, Wasserman has steadily built the company into a powerhouse in the sports and entertainment world by integrating the management, marketing and content businesses. WMG's complementary divisions collectively represent some of the industries' most recognized athletes and brands. WMG, which is also the holding company for the Los Angeles Avengers, has offices in Los Angeles, New York, North Carolina, San Diego and London. Ever since becoming the youngest owner of a professional sports team when he purchased the Avengers, Wasserman has been extremely active within the Arena Football League and currently serves as its chairman. In 2002, he negotiated the league's groundbreaking national television partnership with NBC and collective bargaining agreement with its players. Both landmark deals paved the way for the AFL to join the top tier of sports properties in America. Wasserman also serves as president and chief executive officer of the Wasserman Foundation. He also serves as a board member of New York University, The William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library Foundation, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Jules Stein Eye Institute. Wasserman has been widely acknowledged by peers and the industry for his accomplishments. The Sports Business Journal has recognized Wasserman with their "Forty Under 40" accolade twice, a USC study named Wasserman as one of the "20 most influential sports business figures in Southern California," and UCLA named him in its "100 Significant UCLA Alumni" list. Recently Wasserman ranked prominently in the Los Angeles Business Journal's annual "Making a Mark" list, which acknowledges the 25 most powerful Angelenos. Wasserman holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California at Los Angeles.
Jason McKay
Director of Football Operations
Jason McKay, the director of football operations for the Los Angeles Avengers, is in his second season with the franchise. He is responsible for implementing the organizational strategy for football operations, working closely with head coach Ed Hodgkiss and his staff to determine the composition of the Avenger roster and develop long-term strategies to ensure the team's success. McKay is also responsible for negotiating all player contracts, overseeing compliance with the Arena Football League's salary cap policies and monitoring the football operations budget each year. In his first season with the club in 2005, the Avengers captured their first Western Division championship and came within a game of securing the top seed in the AFL Playoffs. McKay came to the Avengers after five years with the Dallas Cowboys, working under vice president Stephen Jones in the player personnel department. In addition, McKay handled salary cap management, player contracts and player benefits for the Dallas Desperados franchise, which is also owned and operated by the Jones family. He joined the Cowboys in 1993, working in various areas, including the Cowboys' Pro Shop and gameday merchandising at Texas Stadium. McKay graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in mechanical engineering technology. A native of Dallas, he resides in Los Angeles.
Bill Bixby
President and CEO
Casey Wasserman, one of the most intriguing and powerful sports business figures on the West Coast, is the 31-year-old owner of the Los Angeles Avengers. He is also the chairman and chief executive officer of the Wasserman Media Group. Since forming WMG in 1998, Wasserman has steadily built the company into a powerhouse in the sports and entertainment world by integrating the management, marketing and content businesses. WMG's complementary divisions collectively represent some of the industries' most recognized athletes and brands. WMG, which is also the holding company for the Los Angeles Avengers, has offices in Los Angeles, New York, North Carolina, San Diego and London. Ever since becoming the youngest owner of a professional sports team when he purchased the Avengers, Wasserman has been extremely active within the Arena Football League and currently serves as its chairman. In 2002, he negotiated the league's groundbreaking national television partnership with NBC and collective bargaining agreement with its players. Both landmark deals paved the way for the AFL to join the top tier of sports properties in America. Wasserman also serves as president and chief executive officer of the Wasserman Foundation. He also serves as a board member of New York University, The William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library Foundation, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Jules Stein Eye Institute. Wasserman has been widely acknowledged by peers and the industry for his accomplishments. The Sports Business Journal has recognized Wasserman with their "Forty Under 40" accolade twice, a USC study named Wasserman as one of the "20 most influential sports business figures in Southern California," and UCLA named him in its "100 Significant UCLA Alumni" list. Recently Wasserman ranked prominently in the Los Angeles Business Journal's annual "Making a Mark" list, which acknowledges the 25 most powerful Angelenos. Wasserman holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California at Los Angeles.
Casey Wasserman
President and CEO
Casey Wasserman, one of the most intriguing and powerful sports business figures on the West Coast, is the 31-year-old owner of the Los Angeles Avengers. He is also the chairman and chief executive officer of the Wasserman Media Group. Since forming WMG in 1998, Wasserman has steadily built the company into a powerhouse in the sports and entertainment world by integrating the management, marketing and content businesses. WMG's complementary divisions collectively represent some of the industries' most recognized athletes and brands. WMG, which is also the holding company for the Los Angeles Avengers, has offices in Los Angeles, New York, North Carolina, San Diego and London. Ever since becoming the youngest owner of a professional sports team when he purchased the Avengers, Wasserman has been extremely active within the Arena Football League and currently serves as its chairman. In 2002, he negotiated the league's groundbreaking national television partnership with NBC and collective bargaining agreement with its players. Both landmark deals paved the way for the AFL to join the top tier of sports properties in America. Wasserman also serves as president and chief executive officer of the Wasserman Foundation. He also serves as a board member of New York University, The William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library Foundation, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Jules Stein Eye Institute. Wasserman has been widely acknowledged by peers and the industry for his accomplishments. The Sports Business Journal has recognized Wasserman with their "Forty Under 40" accolade twice, a USC study named Wasserman as one of the "20 most influential sports business figures in Southern California," and UCLA named him in its "100 Significant UCLA Alumni" list. Recently Wasserman ranked prominently in the Los Angeles Business Journal's annual "Making a Mark" list, which acknowledges the 25 most powerful Angelenos. Wasserman holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California at Los Angeles.
Lynda Lypps
President and CEO
Casey Wasserman, one of the most intriguing and powerful sports business figures on the West Coast, is the 31-year-old owner of the Los Angeles Avengers. He is also the chairman and chief executive officer of the Wasserman Media Group. Since forming WMG in 1998, Wasserman has steadily built the company into a powerhouse in the sports and entertainment world by integrating the management, marketing and content businesses. WMG's complementary divisions collectively represent some of the industries' most recognized athletes and brands. WMG, which is also the holding company for the Los Angeles Avengers, has offices in Los Angeles, New York, North Carolina, San Diego and London. Ever since becoming the youngest owner of a professional sports team when he purchased the Avengers, Wasserman has been extremely active within the Arena Football League and currently serves as its chairman. In 2002, he negotiated the league's groundbreaking national television partnership with NBC and collective bargaining agreement with its players. Both landmark deals paved the way for the AFL to join the top tier of sports properties in America. Wasserman also serves as president and chief executive officer of the Wasserman Foundation. He also serves as a board member of New York University, The William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library Foundation, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Jules Stein Eye Institute. Wasserman has been widely acknowledged by peers and the industry for his accomplishments. The Sports Business Journal has recognized Wasserman with their "Forty Under 40" accolade twice, a USC study named Wasserman as one of the "20 most influential sports business figures in Southern California," and UCLA named him in its "100 Significant UCLA Alumni" list. Recently Wasserman ranked prominently in the Los Angeles Business Journal's annual "Making a Mark" list, which acknowledges the 25 most powerful Angelenos. Wasserman holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California at Los Angeles.
Matt Wikstrom
Vice President of Sales
Matt Wikstrom, the vice president of sales for the Los Angeles Avengers, is in his fifth season with the franchise. He oversees the entire Avenger ticket sales operation and markets integrated sponsorship packages. During his tenure with the Avengers, Wikstrom has created several programs and promotions, which have increased ticket sales revenue by more than 100 percent. Under his direction, the Avengers have had great success in the area of group sales, so much so that numerous other Arena Football League teams have emulated Wikstrom's programs and promotions. In addition to his sales duties, Wikstrom also is responsible for overseeing all of the team's grassroots marketing and creative efforts. Wikstrom spent his first two seasons with the Avengers as an account executive and was a part of the 2002 ticket sales staff that accomplished a 62 percent increase in season seats over the previous season. He then went on to direct grassroots marketing efforts in 2003, serving as the team's football outreach manager. Wikstrom's sales team currently blankets Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange Counties during the fall, attending over 200 events including high school football games, mall appearances, college home games, sports bars and other community events. In 2001, Wikstrom completed a sports marketing and sales program at Game Face Inc. in Tualatin, Oregon. A graduate of Trinity College (Hartford, Conn.) with a degree in history, Wikstrom was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He resides in Los Angeles.
