Ray W. Ward Award Honors Simons for Service to the Organization's Public Assembly Facility Management School

Russ Simons, Senior Principal with HOK Sport, this week received the 2009 International Association of Assembly Managers' (IAAM) Ray W. Ward Award. Simons was chosen by IAAM's Public Assembly Facility Management School (PAFMS) Board of Regents for his dedicated service and extraordinary contributions to the overall success and quality of the School.

"Russ Simons epitomizes everything that is the best in a public assembly facility management professional," said Rodney Smith, chairman of the PAFMS Board of Regents. "He has a commitment to excellence in the industry, a passion that is second to none, and the ability to balance everything with a great sense of humor."

Simons long has been an advocate of IAAM and its member services. A former facility manager himself, Simons now leads HOK Sport's facility operations, evaluation and analysis group. His direct experience as a former facility manager helps facility managers understand how to operate their buildings more efficiently. Simons' group helps to improve facility performance through direct experience, benchmarking and use of industry best practices. They aid in programming, planning, preparation, safety and security and performance of sports and convention center buildings worldwide.

Prior to joining HOK Sport, Simons spent nearly two decades in all aspects of sports facility building management, from construction to marketing and operations. He also was a senior vice president of Powers Management and president of Powers Solutions, a sports facility operational consulting company. Russ was the former general manager of the Sommet Center, a 20,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Nashville. He was named "Facility Executive of the Year" in 2001 by Pollstar Magazine.

Simons joined IAAM in 1989 and graduated from PAFMS in 1993. He serves as second chair elect of the school's Board of Regents and is current chairman of IAAM's Life Safety Council. He also serves on the advisory committee for IAAM's Facility Manager magazine and is a Master Instructor at IAAM's Academy for Venue Safety and Security.

"Russ is a major participant in the IAAM educational/professional development programs. He is an individual who can take a leading role or support others in achieving success," said Ward, after whom the award is named. "Russ is an individual ready to help...just ask."

"Over the years I have tried to find a way to thank Ray for all he has done for me, but I have never felt that I have adequately done so," said Simons. "The best thing I can think of is to continue to do everything that I can to make a positive contribution to our industry and its people in the same way Ray has done."

Previous awardees of the Ray W. Ward Award include:

• Frank Roach, Professor, University of South Carolina
• William L. Koegler, Jr., Director of Development, Oglebay Foundation
• Dennis R. Magruder, CFE, Executive Director WesBanco Arena
• Don Hancock, CAE, IAAM
• Jay S. Green, CFE, Director, Phoenix Convention Center
• Kevin Twohig, CFE, General Manager, Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena and Executive Director, Spokane Pubic Assembly District
• Scott Williams, CFE, General Manager, EnergySolutions Arena
• Robert Hunter, CFE, Executive Vice President Venues & Entertainment, Maple Leaf Sport & Entertainment/Air Canada Center
• Chris Bigelow, FCSI, CFSP, President of the Bigelow Companies
• Brad Mayne, CFE, President and CEO, American Airlines Center/Center Operating Company
• Robyn Williams, CFE, Executive Director, Portland Center for the Performing Arts
• Ray Ward, CFE President, Dakota Enterprises, Inc.

For further information please contact
Gina Leo Stingley at Populous (Kansas City)
Telephone: +1 816 221 1500
Facsimile: +1 816 221 1578
 
Email media@populous.com

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