Oak View Group Promotes Katee LaPoff to CTO, Josh Pell to President of Premium

Oak View Group (OVG) announces the appointments of Katee LaPoff as Chief Technology Officer and Josh Pell as President of Premium Experiences and Global Strategy. In her new role, LaPoff will continue to report to Steve Collins, President Global Venue Development as well as Ade Patton, Chief Financial Officer, and Chris Granger, President of OVG360. Pell will also continue to report to Steve Collins as well as to Francesca Bodie, Chief Operating Officer.

“I have been privileged to work with Josh for almost a decade and with Katee more than twice that time,” says Collins. “I was excited when each joined OVG and today I am extremely proud to see these two dynamic leaders promoted into expanded roles that recognize not only their accomplishments but also the confidence we all have in their abilities to propel the company forward. Katee’s vision and depth of experience, make her the ideal person to develop the technology strategy across all of OVG’s businesses. Josh’s first-hand knowledge at almost every level of hospitality management will continue to distinguish OVG’s premium level foodservice and retail experiences at our venues.”

“Our Oak View Group leaders and teams have an unwavering commitment to innovation and disruption in the sports and live entertainment industry,” says LaPoff. “Nowhere is the entrepreneurial spirit more important and relevant than technology, where pushing the boundaries is critical to staying ahead. I am thrilled to step into the CTO role and continue to work across divisions to deliver tech strategies that add value for our partners while bringing teams and artists closer to their fans.”

“Attention to detail is what continues to set Oak View Group venues apart, creating a truly premium atmosphere for all our guests,” says Pell. “The opportunities to ‘Wow’ our guests and enhance the entire venue experience are endless. I’m excited for the opportunity to continue to explore unique, innovative approaches to our hospitality offerings leveraging our design and planning team, our world-class partners, and state-of-the-art technology.”

In her new role as CTO, LaPoff will lead a diverse and talented technology team, fostering innovation and collaboration across OVG’s businesses. Over the last three years, LaPoff has served as Oak View Group’s Senior Vice President of Project Management and Technology where she was responsible for the global strategy and execution of venue technology, including those at the Moody Center, Acrisure Arena, and CFG Bank Arena. Prior to OVG, LaPoff was the SVP of Technology at Madison Square Garden Companies for 10 years after which she held a variety of positions at Sterling Project Development related to the management of large venue enterprise and information technology systems and operations. Katee is a graduate of the University of North Texas (B.A.) and Regis University where she holds an M.S. in Management and Organizational Leadership.

In his expanded role as President of Premium Experiences and Global Strategy, Pell will oversee Oak View Group’s e-commerce platform and all premium opportunities, and will continue to manage OVG’s hospitality, food & beverage, and technology design initiatives globally. He will have P&L oversight over all owned and operated food and beverage programs and direct the development of additional revenue opportunities. In his previous role as SVP, Global Hospitality Strategy Planning and Development, Pell was instrumental in the hospitality design and rollout of the Moody Center, Acrisure Arena, and CFG Bank Arena programs. Prior to joining OVG in 2022, Josh held a variety of senior positions at T-Mobile Park, Chase Center, and Petco Park. In 2018, he was named “GM of the Year” for Sodexo/Centerplate and was instrumental in developing the food and beverage program for Petco Park, named USA Today’s Best Ballpark in America in 2016 and again in 2022.