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Lynx Front Office
Jan 17 2008 4:59PM
Glen TaylorOwner 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 Lynx' operating owner for the previous four seasons of the team's existence, beginning with the Lynx' 1999 inaugural campaign. Before he even completed his first full year 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 and Roger Griffith as the team's president and chief financial officer, respectively, and promoted Minnesota and NBA basketball legend Kevin McHale to assistant general manager. With the move of McHale to vice president of basketball and the addition of Phil "Flip" Saunders and Jerry Sichting, Taylor assembled a basketball staff with years of experience in the pro ranks. In 1999, Taylor brought women's professional basketball back to the Twin Cities by operating the Lynx. Taylor is Chairman of the Board of Taylor Corporation, located in Mankato, Minn., 75 miles southwest of the Twin Cities. The Taylor Companies, which are involved in the printing, marketing and electronics industries, include more than 70 operating divisions in 19 states, three Canadian provinces, the United Kingdom, Australia and Mexico. Their employees number more than 14,000, including more than 5,000 Minnesotans. Taylor built his company from modest beginnings. While a student at Mankato State University in 1959, he took a part-time job at Carlson Wedding Service. Fifteen years later, in 1974, he acquired a majority interest in the company, laying the foundation for what would soon grow into Taylor Corporation. Taylor Corporation is the nation’s largest printer of wedding invitations, controlling more than half the market. Many of the companies’ products are sold through independent vendors such as gift and stationery stores. 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). 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. Through personal involvement, Taylor has remained active in many civic and charitable causes. In Mankato, he has served as YMCA President, Chamber of Commerce Director, Mankato Jaycees President and United Way Campaign Chairman. He has also has served on his church’s board of deacons and board of trustees and on the Mankato State University Foundation board of directors. On the state level, Taylor has served as the director of the Minnesota Business partnership, director of the Greater Minnesota Corporation and president of the International Thermographers Association. Nationally, Taylor has provided expert testimony on business and child care issues to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and served as a committee chair on the 1991 Commission on Reform and Efficiency (CORE). In 1997, Mankato State University awarded Taylor his 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 was born April 20, 1941, and raised on a farm 60 miles west of his current home in Mankato. He graduated from Comfrey (Minn.) High School in 1959. In just three years, he earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics, physics and social science from Mankato State University. He later continued his education at the Harvard Graduate School of Business. Taylor lives in Mankato. His children, Terri, Jean, Taylor Moor, Jeff, and Kenney, and grandchildren, Andrea, Melissa, Grayson, Emma and Abby, and great-granddaughters Piper and Riley, enjoy attending many of the Timberwolves and Lynx games. 
Rob MoorChief Executive Officer Rob Moor is in his 12th year with the Minnesota Timberwolves & Lynx organization and his second year as the team's Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, Moor is responsible for the strategic goals and objectives for the franchise as well as new business development. Prior to being named as CEO, Moor was the Timberwolves President for the past 10 years. In addition to his CEO duties, Moor is also President of Midwest Entertainment Group, where he oversees the reorganization and operations of Target Center. With Moor taking the lead, Midwest Entertainment initiated an extreme makeover of Target Center in the past two years, including a new arena scoreboard, a seat replacement and a reconfiguration project and the installation of Club CAMBRIA, a members-only lounge. He was also instrumental in procuring a new restaurant, NBA City, which opened inside Target Center in February. Prior to coming to Minnesota, Moor was the Executive Vice President of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League. Moor began his career in entertainment at MGM Studios in film production. He was involved in the merger with United Artists and subsequent sale of the studios to Ted Turner. Later, he joined 20th Century Fox working in the areas of film distribution. Moor has worked on a number of non-profit boards and continues to be active in the Twin Cities community. Moor has worked on a number of non-profit boards and continues to serve on the boards of the Greater Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association and the Downtown Council. A native of Geneva, Switzerland, Moor moved to the United States in 1966, living in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, California. Moor currently resides in Wayzata, Minn. 
Chris WrightPresident The 2005-06 NBA and WNBA seasons marked Chris Wright's 16th year with the Timberwolves & Lynx organization and his second as the Wolves & Lynx President. As President, Wright is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the team. Prior to ascending to his new position, Wright served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. In that capacity, Wright oversaw the communications group (public relations, community relations, website, Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation and editorial content in publications), ticket sales (season, partial season, group tickets), as well as the corporate sales group (suite sales, corporate sales, corporate services and publications sales). A native of England, Wright came to the United States in 1978. Prior to joining the Timberwolves, 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 with a number of local charities and youth sports programs. He resides in Eden Prairie, Minn., with his wife, Walla, their sons Jeff and Ned, and their daughter, Christy. 
Roger GriffithChief Operating Officer Roger Griffith joined the Timberwolves organization in 1994 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Griffith, who played an instrumental role in bringing the WNBA to Minnesota, also serves as the Lynx' Chief Operating Officer. He oversees all accounting, box office, budgeting, finance and personnel operations for both organizations. In addition, Griffith is responsible for running the Lynx' day-to-day operations. Prior to joining the Timberwolves, Griffith gained a variety of experience in public and private industry. Previously, he worked for Taymark, a Taylor Corporation company, as division manager for the ad specialty direct mail division. He also worked at 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. 
Angela TaylorVice President of Business Development Angela Taylor was named Vice-President of Business Development with the Minnesota Lynx in July 2006. She brings over 14 years of experience in the sports industry to her position with the Lynx. In this newly created position, Taylor will oversee all business operations for the Lynx, including ticket sales, marketing, fan relations, public relations, community relations, and corporate sponsorships. She will be responsible for creating initiatives to build community awareness, marketing the Lynx brand in the Twin Cities area, and enhancing ticket sales and strategic alliances. Prior to joining the Minnesota Lynx & Timberwolves, Taylor spent more than 9 years (10 seasons) with the WNBA League Office based in New York City, most recently as Senior Director, Player Personnel. While at the League Office, she was primarily responsible for all player-related matters and issues including collegiate & international player evaluation, player marketing, and player programs. Taylor joined the staff at the WNBA League office in June 1997 as Coordinator, Player Personnel was promoted to Manager in October 1999, Senior Manager in 2002, Director in 2004, and Senior Director in 2005. Prior to joining the WNBA League Office staff, Taylor was an assistant coach for the women’s basketball teams at Stanford University, Texas A&M University, and the University of Arizona. A four-year varsity letter winner at Stanford University, Taylor helped guide the Stanford women’s basketball team to two NCAA national championships (1990 & 1992), three NCAA Final Fours (1990-92), and one Sweet Sixteen appearance (1993). Additionally, as an assistant coach at Stanford, Taylor’s Stanford teams went to back-to-back Final Fours in 1996 and 1997. While an assistant coach at Stanford, she had the opportunity to work with 1996 Olympic Gold Medal winning head coach Tara VanDerveer and to coach two former Minnesota Lynx pioneers (Kristin Folkl and Charmin Smith). In 2006, Taylor co-founded The CHANCE Foundation, an organization whose mission is to Create Hope and Access for our Nation’s Children through Education. The CHANCE Foundation helps provide at-risk youth with the support, guidance, tools and resources needed to navigate the college application process. Taylor’s community and philanthropic activities also include serving on the board of Ronnie Lott’s All-Stars Helping Kids Foundation. She has also served on the board of the Stanford Athletic Department. A native of Mountain Home, Idaho, Taylor graduated from Stanford University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and earned her MBA (with an emphasis on Marketing and Management) at New York University’s Stern School of Business in May 2002. Taylor currently resides in Minneapolis. 
Nicole SmithManager of Business Operations and Fan Relations In September of 2007, Nicole Smith was named Manager of Business Operations and Fan Relations. In this position, Smith oversees all Lynx customer service and retention efforts as well as Lynx season ticket holder programming. In addition, Smith is responsible for executing several key business initiatives encompassing ticket sales, marketing, fan relations, public relations, community relations, and corporate sponsorships. Smith began with the Minnesota Lynx as a Game Presentation intern during the 2005 season. Following her internship, Smith transitioned into the position of Lynx Dedicated Fan Relations Executive, where she spent two years developing service and retention programs and initiatives for Lynx season ticket holders. A native of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Smith graduated from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls in 2005 with a degree in Marketing Communications and Journalism, and is now pursuing her MBA at Bethel University. Smith currently resides in Bloomington, Minn.
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