Richard Andersen’s professional career includes 28 years in Major League Baseball and the National Football League. Richard served as Executive Vice President of the San Diego Padres and General Manager of PETCO Park, and as President and CEO of Joe Robbie Stadium (now Hard Rock Stadium) in
Miami, Florida, current home to the Miami Dolphins and then home of the Florida (now Miami) Marlins. He has overseen Super Bowls, World Series, Olympic Games activities and a host of large sports and entertainment events – and wrestled an actual bear.
Richard’s true passion however is around maximising human potential. As CIO (Chief Illuminations Officer) of Venue Solutions Group Advantage Training, Richard is a sought-after facilitator and speaker. He draws upon his 35 plus years as a senior executive in professional sports, venues and hospitality management to design and deliver leading edge training and professional development programs that deliver those “aha moments”.
In 2022 Richard and VSG Advantage Training were named HR Magazine’s “Top Emerging International Training and Development” company as a result of their cutting-edge professional development work.Richard also served as President and CEO of Seafair, a premier festival management organization, and President and CEO of Northlands, one of the world’s largest multi-purpose entertainment and meeting complexes. While at Northlands he starred on an episode of the popular television show, “Undercover Boss.”
Richard has volunteered in a variety of industry related leadership roles including serving as Chair of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). He continues to instruct at the IAVM Venue Management School and Graduate Institute and was also Chair of its Board of Regents. Additionally, he regularly teaches internationally including as part of the faculty of the Venue Management Association Asia Pacific School and Leadership Institute.
Richard holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz School of Business and an ICD.C (corporate director certification) from the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto. His many professional service honours and distinctions include Major League Baseball’s Lee McPhail Award for excellence in business operations, Virginia Citizen of the Year, and the IAVM Venue Management School Ray Ward Award for his contributions to industry education.
When not working to shine a light on organizational effectiveness, Richard loves hiking, wrestling with grammar and hanging out at School of Rock learning to play his guitar.