GARY HANDLEMAN - President of Facilities
With 36 years of experience with Washington Sports & Entertainment,
Gary Handleman exudes expertise in the arena management field. He
spent his first years with Washington Sports & Entertainment
in several capacities: Director of Operations and Director of Arena
Administration at USAir Arena, then Vice President and Executive
Director of Facilities and Senior Vice President of Facilities for
Washington Sports & Entertainment. His current position is President
of Facilities.
Handleman was instrumental in the planning and development of Verizon
Center (formerly known as MCI Center), which opened in December
of 1997, as well as the design and management of the Patriot Center
– a partnership which began twenty two years ago. His current
duties include overseeing all arena operations for sporting events,
concerts and family shows held at Verizon Center and The George
Mason University Patriot Center. Handleman has also overseen operations
for the former home of the Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals
and Georgetown Hoyas, USAir Arena, which was located in Landover,
MD.
Handleman began working with The George Mason University Patriot
Center when Washington Sports & Entertainment became the first
arena management company to be hired by an academic institution.
His work drew praise from George Mason University officials from
the outset, and he quickly developed a reputation as a skilled,
creative arena manager with a unique ability to oversee arena development.
Handleman also led the Washington Sports & Entertainment team
as General Manager of the Baltimore Arena upon Washington Sports’
operating contract with that venue. In its first year of operation,
Handleman and his team reduced a $1.2 million deficit by more than
95 percent.
During his tenure with Washington Sports & Entertainment, Gary
Handleman has overseen a plethora of sporting events, concerts and
family shows including the 2006 NCAA East Regional Round of the
Division I Men’s Basketball, the 2005 ACC Tournament and the
2003 World Figure Skating Championships at Verizon Center. Handleman’s
success as an arena manager is evidenced by both Verizon Center
and the Patriot Center being ranked top facilities amongst trade
publications year after year.
Handleman received a bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins
University. He’s a member of the International Association
of Auditorium Managers (IAAM) and resides in Crofton, MD, with his
wife, Donna, and his two children Michael and Erica.
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