Over his 40+ year career, Russ Simons has been involved in nearly
every facet of the sports and entertainment facility industry, from
design and construction and master planning and development
to operations, marketing, and public relations. At Venue Solutions
Group (VSG), Russ directs the firm’s New and Renovation Facility
Consulting, Security and Risk Management, Guest Experience, Food
and Beverage, and Facility Operations efforts. VSG is a team of
former senior facility managers who evaluate building systems and
components, facility condition assessments, integrated development,
security and risk management, guest experience, and sustainable
operations.

Russ has worked with operators at every level, from collegiate
to every US professional sports league. He works directly with
architects and consultants to design facilities and developments that
are safe, efficient, revenue-positive, and sustainable.
Before creating VSG, Russ was a senior principal with the global
design firm Populous. There, he managed the firm’s facility
operations, evaluation, and analysis group, assisting public assembly
venues in all operational aspects. He also worked closely with
the designers and architects as they created not only beautiful
facilities but functional ones as well. Russ’ previous positions have
also included SVP Facility and Campus Operations, SoFi Stadium
and Hollywood Park, Senior Vice President and General Manager
of Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, home to the NHL Nashville
Predators, Senior Vice President of Powers Management, and
President of Powers Solutions, a professional sports and leisure
facility operations consulting company.

Russ earned his bachelor’s degree in sports marketing from the
University of Connecticut. He also graduated from the International
Association of Venue Managers’ (IAVM) Venue Management School
and served as a past Chair of the school’s Board of Regents. He
received the 2009 Ray W. Ward Award from the VMS Board of
Regents in honor of his service to the school. He is a member of
IAVM and has served on the organization’s Board of Directors. He is
a past chair of the Life Safety Council, an instructor for the Academy
of Venue Safety and Security, and led the organization’s COVID-19
response to the industry, a 2004 recipient of the GIGI Award of
Excellence, and a member of the Event, Sales, and Marketing Hall
of Fame. He is on the National Advisory Board and Pro Sports
Committee for the National Center for Spectator Sports Security
Management. He is a “Distinguished Fellow” and on the Board of
Advisors at IIFX and has been inducted into the inaugural class
of their Hall of Fame. In 2021, he received the Joseph J. Anzivino
Distinguished Allied Award from IAVM for outstanding service to the
organization. He is a member of the Stadium Managers Association.