AUBURN HILLS — Jim Ross has joined Palace Sports & Entertainment as executive vice president of business operations and strategy.
Ross reports directly to Dennis Mannion, Pistons and PS&E CEO and president, overseeing corporate partnerships, premium sales, business development, and fanalytics. He joins PS&E from the Cleveland Browns, where he served as senior vice president of business development, directing revenue generation, the growth of corporate sponsorships, media sales, suite sales, general and premium ticket sales, hospitality, and non-game day event sales. Prior to working with the Browns, Ross worked with the New York Yankees, the Miami Dolphins, the Florida Marlins and the New York Mets.
“We’re very happy to have Jim with us,” Mannion says. “He’s an experienced sports industry executive with impeccable credentials and he’ll be a great addition to Palace Sports & Entertainment and the Pistons.”
Mehdi Houissa joins PS&E as finance director and will report to Bob Feller, executive vice president and CFO. Houissa comes to PS&E from Wal-Mart where he served as director of strategy and finance in the Great Lakes division. He also served as financial planning and analysis manager at Tween Brands in New Albany, Ohio where he facilitated the Limited Too and Justice merger.
Joe Walsh is PS&E’s new vice president of human resources. Walsh joined PS&E this summer from TaylorMade-Adidas Golf in Carlsbad, Cali. where he oversaw global human resources. He also spent four seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, leading the human resources department.
Other recent hires include Ryan Ross as video systems manager and Sara Kubica as fan experience manager. Ryan will work in programming and productions after spending seven years with the Flint Journal. Kubica will serve as brand manager for Pistons and PS&E season ticket member segments, driving programming, collateral, and communications plans for events and initiatives. She joins PS&E from Universal McCann where she served as an account manager.
The organization recently made several promotions, including: Creative Director Jason George now oversees all programming and production at PS&E. Nick Bartolone was promoted to director of advertising and promotions from promotions manager. Lauren Miller was promoted to senior director of marketing from director of fan lifestyles. Buddy Rose was promoted to director of game entertainment from game entertainment manager.
