Lynx Front Office

Glen Taylor
Owner

On March 23, 1995, Glen Taylor closed the deal that made him majority owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves. He added the title of NBA owner to a list that already included international businessman, state senator, entrepreneur, philanthropist and executive of the year. In October 2002, Taylor became the majority owner of the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx after a change in the league’s ownership structure. Taylor had served as the operating owner of the Lynx for the previous four seasons of the team’s existence, beginning with the 1999 inaugural campaign.

Before he even completed his first full season as Timberwolves owner, Taylor set in motion his plan for making a mark on the Minnesota sports scene. Prior to the completion of the sale of the team from Marv Wolfenson and Harvey Ratner, Taylor installed Rob Moor, Roger Griffith and Chris Wright to run the business functions of the franchise. In 1999, Taylor brought women’s professional basketball back to the Twin Cities by operating the Lynx and added the duties of Lynx Chief Operating Officer to Griffith’s responsibilities.

In the winter of 2008, Taylor shifted the balance of power within the Lynx by naming Griffith the company's Executive Vice President and appointing long-time Timberwolves and Lynx Vice President of New Business Development Conrad Smith as the new Chief Operating Officer of the Lynx. During the 2009 offseason, Taylor appointed long-time successful WNBA assistant coach Cheryl Reeve as the franchise’s seventh head coach.

Glen Taylor is chairman of the multinational Taylor Corporation, based in Mankato, MN. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato. During this period, he worked part time at Carlson Wedding Service, a print shop specializing in formal invitations. After graduation he continued to work at the company, developing strategies to cut delivery time, improve service and expand offerings. Taylor purchased the company in 1975, assembled a passionate leadership team and dramatically expanded the firm's capabilities, growing it into one of the largest privately held companies in the United States. Today Taylor Corporation, based in North Mankato, includes more than 80 subsidiaries providing business and personal communications products, technologies and marketing services. Other enterprises owned by Taylor are in securities, agricultural, and medical fields.

He continued his education at the Harvard Graduate School of Business. In 1997, Mankato State University awarded Taylor their first honorary doctorate. Taylor received the degree of Honorary Doctor of Laws for his distinguished professional career and volunteer service. In October 2001, Taylor was inducted into the Minnesota State University, Mankato Hall of Distinction.

Taylor’s business savvy has been recognized by Corporate Report magazine, which honored him as its Executive of the Year (1987), and the Sales and Marketing Executives of Minneapolis/St. Paul, who awarded him with their Sales Executive of the Year Award (1999). He was also inducted into the Minnesota Hall of Fame (2002) by Twin Cities Monthly Magazine.

Taylor was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1980, where he served until 1990. He became assistant Senate minority leader in 1982. From 1984 to 1986, he served as Senate minority leader. While in the Senate, Taylor was instrumental in providing leadership in the areas of higher education, child care and economic development policies.

He has served on the NBA Planning Committee and has been Chairman of the Audit Committee. In October of 2008, Taylor was named chairman of the NBA's Board of Governors.

Taylor and his family have provided financial assistance and participated in missions to Africa, Turkey, Egypt and Central America to support the Starkey Hearing Foundation and Common Hope.

Taylor and his wife, Becky, live in Mankato. Their children and grandchildren enjoy attending many of the Timberwolves and Lynx games.





LIMITED PARTNERS

WILLIAM F. BIEBER Chairman, ATEK Companies, Plymouth, Minn. Bieber resides in Edina, Minnesota.

RALPH W. BURNET Chairman of Coldwell Banker Burnet, Edina, Minnesota, and Owner and Chairman of RWB Hospitality LLC. Burnet resides in his hometown of Wayzata, Minn.

DENNIS FRANDSEN Owner/CEO of Frandsen Corporation, North Branch, Minnesota. A native of Luck, Wisconsin, Frandsen resides in Rush City, Minnesota.

R. WYNN KEARNEY, JR. Kearney is senior surgeon of the Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic, Mankato, Minnesota ., and resides in Mankato, his hometown.

FRED LUTZ Lutz, a retired soft drink bottler, resides in North Mankato, Minnesota.

BURTON J. McGLYNN Chairman of Decopac, Inc. (a McGlynn family company). A native of Minneapolis, McGlynn resides on Captiva Island, Fla.

JOHN E. MOORE President of Moore G.P. LLC. Moore resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

THOMAS E. MOORE Senior Vice President Investments at UBS Financial Services Inc. Moore resides in Edina, Minnesota.

TERI E. POPP President Minnesota Military Family Tribute and retired attorney residing in Orono, Minnesota.

WILLIAM J. (BILL) POPP Owner/President of POPP Communications., Golden Valley, Minn. A native of Minneapolis, Popp resides in Orono, Minnesota.

JOYCE SEXTON President Sexton Family Foundation. Sexton resides in Incline Village, Nevada.

WILLIAM SEXTON Retired President/Owner Old Northwest Company. Sexton resides in Incline Village, Nevada.



Rob Moor
Chief Executive Officer

Rob Moor became chief executive officer of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2004 following 10 years as the team’s president. While reorganizing the Timberwolves and building a first-class staff, Moor was also involved in securing a WNBA franchise for Minnesota in 1998 and, in 2004, leading the effort to form Midwest Entertainment Group and manage Target Center until the spring of 2007.

Moor’s strategic goals for the Timberwolves and Lynx revolve around customer service and a fan-centered attitude. ‘If we provide great customer service and great entertainment we will always be successful,’ Moor says.

In a career that began at MGM Studios in Culver City, California, Moor was involved in the merger with United Artists and the subsequent sale of the studio to Ted Turner. Moor worked for Turner Entertainment for two years before moving to 20th Century Fox in film distribution.

While at Fox, Moor had the opportunity to join the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, where he transitioned his entertainment career to sports. Moor was the executive vice president of the Kings when he moved to Minnesota to lead the Timberwolves. In addition to being on the executive committee of Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitors Association, Moor is also active in fundraising efforts for several non-profit organizations.

Born in Geneva, Switzerland, Moor was raised in Europe and moved to the United States in 1966.

Moor currently resides in Plymouth, Minn.





Chris Wright
President

This season marked Chris Wright’s 21st year with the Timberwolves and Lynx organizations and seventh as the teams' president. Wright is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the teams.

He leads a senior management group that is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the business operations of the franchise.

By developing a culture where everyone understands their role and supports each other, Wright and his senior management team are integrating the business and basketball operations to meet the strategic and financial goals of the team.

As president, Wright also articulates the mission of the organization, which is to surround fans with the world-class athleticism and complete entertainment of the NBA and WNBA.Whether coming to the arena, watching a game on television, purchasing a ticket online, or meeting players and staff in the community, Lynx and Timberwolves fans know that they are the sole focus of the organization’s efforts.

To fulfill this mission, Wright has established company-wide priority around an unwavering work ethic, valuing excellence and being active members of the community. Wright believes that by developing a culture that emphasizes "one team," "one voice," and "one with our community," the Timberwolves and Lynx will have the ability to achieve great things. He believes in hiring a staff that is genuinely optimistic and passionate about the franchise-a staff that is professional, yet strives for fun with Timberwolves and Lynx fans and clients.

A native of England, Wright came to the United States in 1978. Prior to joining the Timberwolves and Lynx, he spent three years working for the state of Minnesota, first as a consultant working on bids for major national and international events, including the programming of the $17.4 million National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn. Prior to that, Wright also served as general manager for two Major Indoor Soccer League Teams, the Pittsburgh Spirit (1981-86) and the Minnesota Strikers (1986-87).

Wright, who graduated from Carnegie College of Physical Education in Headingly Leeds, Yorkshire, England, is very involved in and consults with many local charities and youth sports programs. He was elected to and serves on the board of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce.

He resides in Eden Prairie, Minn., with his wife, Walla, their sons Jeff and Ned, and their daughter, Christy.





Roger Griffith
Executive Vice President

Roger Griffith joined the Timberwolves organization in 1994 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In this role, he is responsible for all accounting, box office, budgeting, finance and personnel operations for the organization.

In 1999, he added the duties of chief operating officer of the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx to his responsibilities, and transitioned to executive vice president of the Lynx prior to the 2009 WNBA season.

Prior to coming to the Timberwolves and Lynx, Griffith gained a variety of experience in public and private industry. He previously worked for Taymark, a Taylor Corporation company, as division manager of the ad specialty direct mail division. He also worked for Northwest Airlines as the director of internal audit and spent time with a public accounting firm.

A native of Shakopee, Minn., Griffith graduated magna cum laude from Augsburg College in 1984 with a degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. In 1988, he earned his MBA in general management from the University of Minnesota.

Griffith resides in Eagan, Minn., with his wife, Jean, and daughters, Emma and Abby.





Conrad Smith
Chief Operating Officer
smith@lynxbasketball.com

The 2011 season was Conrad Smith's third with the Lynx as Chief Operating Officer. Smith was named the team's COO on November 19, 2008. Smith previously held the position of Vice President of New Business Development with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx.

Under Smith in 2011, the Lynx increased their attendance for the third consecutive season. Furthermore, new corparate partners Medica, TCF Bank, Walser Subaru, Old Orchard Juices and Creative Resources teamed up with the Lynx in 2011.

Smith oversees Lynx ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, marketing, advertising, public relations and other business segments. Additionally, he serves as a community ambassador, helps drive marketing and communications needs for the organization, and operates as the team liaison to the league on marketing and business matters.

Smith has 26 years of professional sports experience, including the last 15 with the Timberwolves and Lynx organization. During that time, Smith was Vice President of Corporate Sales and Services and most recently served as Vice President of Business Development, working with premier sponsors such as Verizon, Best Buy, Pepsi and Target.

A graduate of Emerson College in Boston, Smith first came to the Twin Cities in 1983. Before joining the Timberwolves, he spent four years as the Director of Corporate Sales for the Minnesota Twins. Prior to that, Smith held a similar position with the National Hockey League's Minnesota North Stars.

Smith resides in Eagan, Minn., with his wife, Carla, their daughters, Tara and Christine, and their son, Brent.

Amanda Collins
Community Relations Coordinator
collins@lynxbasketball.com

Entering her third season with the Lynx, Collins is responsible for coordinating all community relations platforms as well as managing the Lynx Foundation. Prior to joining the Lynx, she worked as an intern for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the client development and marketing departments.

Originally from Bismarck, ND Collins graduated from the University of Mary with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. While attending college, Collins completed an internship with the Dakota Wizards of the NBA D-League.

During her spare time, Collins enjoys playing and watching all sports. In addition to her passion for Lynx basketball, she enjoys cheering on her favorite football team, the Dallas Cowboys. A figure skater since age 3, Collins enjoys coaching the sport as well. She currently resides in Woodbury.

Alex Damlo
Ticket Sales Representative
damlo@lynxbasketball.com

Alex Damlo was born and raised in northern Minnesota and is a native of Brainerd, Minnesota, where he was in the choir and played baseball. He graduated from Saint Cloud State University where he was an accounting major and an avid intramural sports participant. After college he went to work for Citigroup and then Robert Half International before joining the Minnesota Lynx in March 2010.

Damlo is heavily involved in youth athletics and still works closely with Minnesota Youth Athletic Services as a Basketball Tournament Director. He helps coach several youth teams, assists in youth sports clinics and can be seen officiating games from the 4th grade level through college.

A huge sports fan, Damlo follows baseball, football, basketball & hockey and is a loyal University of Minnesota Golden Gophers fanatic! In his spare time he enjoys golfing, playing basketball, attending sporting events, and hanging out at the cabin. He is married to Kim, has a golden retriever named Bella and lives in Coon Rapids.

Erin Henning
Fan Relations Manager
henning@lynxbasketball.com

Erin Henning started with the organization in the fall of 2006 and joined the Fan Relations department in 2007. In the role of Fan Relations Manager, Henning oversees the Fan Relations department for the Minnesota Lynx. She is committed to delivering exceptional customer service to Lynx season ticket holders and enhancing their game night experience. She is also responsible for the retention efforts of all season ticket holders. To do this, she develops proactive programming for fans to engage in, event planning, building relationships, and assists with any account needs.

Henning was hired as an intern in the ticket sales and marketing department for the Timberwolves in October 2006. She remained a full-time intern with the Timberwolves until being hired for her current position.

A native of Lake Crystal, Minn., Henning attended Gustavus Adolphus College, where she double majored in Political Science and Communication Studies. In college, Henning played lacrosse and studied abroad in London for six months.

Henning has been a sports fan all her life. She has been a youth softball coach for several years and is an avid Minnesota Twins fan. She enjoys being with her friends and family, traveling, listening to live music, and watching scary movies. Henning moved to the Twin Cities in 2006 and now resides in Minneapolis.

Paige Jackson
Basketball Operations and Video Coordinator
pjackson@lynxbasketball.com

Originally from Carson City, Michigan Jackson graduated from Central Michigan University with a Sports Management Degree. Jackson got her professional start in basketball as a student Manager for the Central Michigan University Women's Basketball Team.

From there she accepted an internship as a Video Coordinator with the Detroit Shock in 2008. In 2009 she returned as the Detroit Shocks Team Manager & Video Coordinator. Jackson spent the last 2 WNBA seasons as the Video Coordinator for the Washington Mystics.

Alex King
Public Relations Coordinator
king@lynxbasketball.com

Alex King joined the Timberwolves and Lynx public relations department as an intern in the prior to the 2008-09 NBA season. He served as an intern during two Timberwolves seasons, and spent the 2011 season as the Public Relations Assistant during the Lynx championship run. As Public Relations Manager, King is responsible for handling all local and national media requests involving players, coaches and front office personnel.

Prior to joining the organization, King was served as a PR intern during the summer of 2008 with the Larry H. Miller Spots & Entertainment Group in Salt Lake City. With the LHMSE, King assisted with PR efforts of the Utah Jazz’ Rocky Mountain Revue summer league, the Salt Lake Bees and the Miller Motorsports Park. King has also acted as a game day intern with the Saint Paul Saints (Summer 2009).

Originally from Tinton Falls, N.J., King graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in sports management and a minor in communications. He currently resides in Roseville, MN.

Carley Knox
Business Development Manager
knox@lynxbasketball.com

Carley Knox was hired by the Minnesota Lynx in January 2010 as the Business Development Manager. Her focuses include corporate partnerships and ticket sales. Knox comes to Minnesota after spending 5 years with the WNBA’s Detroit Shock where she was the Director of Sales and Marketing.

Knox attended Ohio University and earned degrees in both sports administration and women’s studies. She was also a member of the Ohio University Women’s Soccer Team when they won the Mid-American Conference Championship in 1998. She then went on to coach women’s soccer at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York.

Upon returning to Ohio she took a position with the LPGA tournament, specifically The Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic, where she worked with operations, marketing, and sales. In the fall of 2002 she took a graduate assistantship at Bowling Green State University, where she obtained her M.A. in Sports Administration and Women’s Studies.

Trevor Lyga
Ticket Sales Representative
lyga@lynxbasketball.com

Trevor Lyga joined the Minnesota Lynx in April 2012. As a Ticket Sales Executive, he is responsible for selling season and group tickets, while expanding brand awareness of Minnesota Lynx Basketball.

Prior to joining the Lynx, Trevor was employed by Wells Fargo where he completed a sales management internship. He also worked in sales development for a mobile application that he co-created for smart phones. Trevor graduated from Winona State University in 2011 with a degree in Business Management.

A native of La Crosse, Wis., Trevor is an avid sports fan who enjoys music, running and staying physically active in his free time. He currently resides in Minneapolis.

Katie Reed
Sr. Account Executive
reed@lynxbasketball.com

Katie Reed joined the Lynx staff as a Ticket Sales Representative in February of 2009. Her primary focuses are to sell season tickets and partial packages, tailor group ticket packages to meet the needs of clientele, and develop and execute new ticket partnerships.

Prior to joining the Lynx, Reed worked as a Public Relations intern for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Reed also held past positions with the Sport Management department at Minnesota State University-Mankato; the Saint Paul Saints in game-day promotions and special events; and the American Red Cross in marketing/communications.

Reed graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor's degree in Communications in 2006 and earned her Master's degree in Sport Management at Minnesota State University-Mankato in 2008. Reed currently resides in Lakeville with her husband and two young kids.

Joe Schwei
Ticket Sales Manager
schwei@lynxbasketball.com

Joe Schwei joined the Lynx staff as Ticket Sales Manager in January 2009.

Schwei comes to the Lynx from the Mankato MoonDogs baseball team of the Northwoods League where he has served as Owner and President since 2002. Schwei has also spent the last six years as an independent marketing consultant, handling all fundraising and e-commerce activities for the Metro Baseball League and developing marketing and business development strategies for the St. Cloud, Mankato, Alexandria, Brainerd and Madison franchises of the Northwoods League. Prior to his time in Mankato, Schwei co-founded and served as Director of Operations and General Manager for the Alexandria Beetles of the Northwoods League for one year. Before that, he had spent the previous five years as General Manager of the St. Cloud River Bats of the Northwoods League.

As Tickets Sales Manager, Schwei is accountable for maximizing revenue from the sale of tickets to consumers, groups, and corporations while managing the Lynx ticket sales staff. Schwei is also responsible for overseeing the day-to-day sales process of Lynx full and partial season ticket packages as well as Lynx Group Ticket initiatives.

Originally from Neenah, Wisconsin, Schwei graduated with a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota and is currently completing his Masters of Business Administration at the Carlson School of Management. Schwei currently resides in Minneapolis with his wife, Tamara, and daughter, Maisie.

Cedric Ware
Ticket Sales Representative
ware@lynxbasketball.com

Cedric Ware was hired with the Minnesota Lynx in April 2012. Prior to joining the Lynx he was one of thirty three interns selected out of over two thousand applicants to be a part of the 2012 Minnesota Twins Internship class. During his brief stint with the Minnesota Twins in the Ticket Office he learned a lot about the printing, cutting, and processing of tickets for a Major League Baseball Team.

Cedric was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is a 2011 graduate of Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he received his B.S. in Business Management. During college he was very involved both on campus and in the community. He has volunteered and worked with the National Urban League’s Black Executive Exchange Program, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, SU Fresh Campus, and Southern University Men’s Federation.

Currently Cedric is the Minnesota State Director for Iota Phi Theta (R) Fraternity Incorporated .Outside of his fraternity work he also volunteers with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, and is a member of the Minneapolis Urban League of Young Professionals. In his spare time he enjoys watching and playing sports.

Amanda Wilcox
Ticket Sales Representative
wilcox@lynxbasketball.com

Amanda Wilcox started her experience with the Minnesota Lynx as a marketing assistant during the 2011 season before being hired as a sales representative in 2012. Her objective is to provide an unrivaled customer experience and meet the goals of those she partners with by utilizing the assets of both the Minnesota Lynx and Timberwolves franchises.

In 2012, Wilcox earned her M.A. in Sport Management from Minnesota State University, Mankato. In her career at MNSU, she served as the event manager for the 2011 Scholarship Banquet and Scholarship Golf Scramble while also holding a position as a Graduate Hall Director in the Residential Life program. In 2011, Amanda was presented the "Student of the Year" award within the Sport Management Department at MNSU.

After moving all over the Midwest, Wilcox attended Illinois State University where she received her B.S. in Public Relations. At ISU she was a member of the Big Red Marching Machine, served as a the event manager for the national qualifying Redbird Wrestling Tournament within the Public Relations Student Society of America, and was elected the Vice President of Membership for Sigma Alpha Iota. Wilcox currently resides in Minneapolis with her fiancé David.