Doug Ostrover

Owner

Doug Ostrover is Co-Chief Executive Officer of Blue Owl Capital Inc. and the chairman of the firm’s Board of Directors.

Doug is actively involved in a variety of non-profit organizations including serving on the boards of directors of the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Mt. Sinai Health System. He also serves on the investment committee of the Brunswick School.

Doug received an MBA from New York University Stern School of Business and a BA in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

Marc Lipschultz

Owner

Marc Lipschultz is Co-Chief Executive Officer of Blue Owl Capital Inc. and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors.

Marc is actively involved in a variety of non-profit organizations, serving as a board member of the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Michael J. Fox Foundation, Mount Sinai Health System, Riverdale Country School, Stanford University Board of Trustees, and the 92nd Street Y.

Marc received an MBA from Harvard Business School and an AB from Stanford University.

Steve Griggs

Chief Executive Officer/Vice Chairman

Steve Griggs assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of Vinik Sports Group on July 24, 2015. His role was elevated to the position of Vice Chairman in 2024. Griggs oversees all of Vinik Sports Group’s divisions, inclusive of VSG Live, VSG Commercial Sales, and VSG Facilities, leading all business operations for several influential brands, comprising of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Benchmark International Arena, USF Athletics, Yuengling Center, Tampa Bay Sports retail and more.

Under his leadership, the Lightning have achieved unprecedented success, including winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021 and being named the 2022 Sports Business Journal Team of the Year. Griggs is also known for his work in the community, including spearheading the Community Hero program and the Vinik Sports Group’s CHARGE volunteer program and for his efforts to grow the game of hockey and teach life skills to youth in the Tampa Bay community.

A veteran of the sports and entertainment industry, Griggs has also worked for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the Minnesota Wild, and the Orlando Magic playing an instrumental role in opening new venues in all three locations.

Casey Rodgers

Chief Financial Officer

Casey Rodgers serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Vinik Sports Group, which operates the Tampa Bay Lightning, Benchmark International Arena, and the Yuengling Center. He joined the company in 2017 after working for Feld Entertainment. Rodgers is a senior executive with diverse international and domestic industry experience who provides corporate strategy that helps drive companies to record success. He is adept at forcasting trends and working with operational executives to improve cash flow and profitability while improving customer relations.

Rodgers has held key roles in avaiation, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, entertainment, and sports. In addition, his experience includes the restructuring of several finance, people operations, and legal departments, the implementation of advanced software systems, and improvement in cash flow and profitability through strong forecasting and accountability processes.

Kevin Preast

Chief Venue Officer

Kevin Preast serves as the Chief Venue Officer for Vinik Sports Group, overseeing operations for Benchmark International Arena, the Yuengling Center, and Tampa Bay Sports—the retail division managing merchandise at Benchmark International Arena, Yuengling Center, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and select events at Raymond James Stadium. He also leads event booking and marketing for Benchmark International Arena, the Yuengling Center, and ticketing at Raymond James Stadium, continuing to bring some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment to the Tampa Bay region.

Preast played an integral role in the stadium operations and successful launch of the Tampa Bay Sun, the city’s first women’s professional sports team, marking another milestone in his commitment to growing the region’s sports landscape.

A respected industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience, Preast was named Venue Operator of the Year at the 2024 OVG Awards, a reflection of his innovative leadership and dedication to excellence. Under his guidance, Benchmark International Arena continues to set the standard for live entertainment, most recently hosting the NCAA Women’s Final Four for an unprecedented fourth time—more than any other city in the nation.

His venues consistently deliver exceptional guest experiences. Benchmark International Arena has ranked #1 in the NHL for Net Promoter Score (NPS) for three consecutive years, and in 2024, earned top marks across the league for the helpfulness of gameday and security screening staff and overall gameday experience.

A proud graduate of the University of South Florida, Preast began his career at the Ice Palace in 1996, rising through roles in sales and service before joining the Tampa Bay Rays. He later held leadership positions at Atlanta’s Philips Arena (now Statefarm Arena), supporting the operations of the Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta Thrashers (NHL), and Atlanta Dream (WNBA).

Preast remains deeply engaged in the community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Tampa Theatre, Gasparilla Bowl, as an Honorary Commander at MacDill Air Force Base, and as a Leadership Tampa alumnus. He continues to be a driving force behind Tampa Bay’s emergence as a leading destination for world-class events and unforgettable fan experiences.

Chris Overholt

Chief Commercial Officer

Chris Overholt serves as Chief Commercial Officer for Vinik Sports Group. In this role, Overholt oversees all aspects of the company’s marketing and sales teams with a focus on developing, designing and implementing VSG’s commercial strategy to strengthen relationships, drive sales and increase revenue.

Prior to joining VSG, Overholt led the Global Partnerships Division for Madison Square Garden (MSG), overseeing sponsorship marketing, sales and service for iconic entities such as the New York Knicks, the New York Rangers, Madison Square Garden, and more. He also played a pivotal role in global sales for the Sphere in Las Vegas.

Prior to MSG, Overholt served as the founding CEO/Partner of OverActive Media Group (OAM), a Toronto-based organization recognized for its diverse and influential presence in sports, media and entertainment.

Between 2010-2018, Overholt also served as Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC). In that role he drove unprecedented growth in commercial operations while overseeing a broad scope of operations and collaborating closely with Canada’s National Sports Federations to foster the development of aspiring Olympians.

During his 30 years in business, Overholt has played a key role in the marketing, branding, and business strategies for some of North America’s top sports franchises. This includes notable contributions to the success of the Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers, and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), where he achieved industry-leading results for both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Raptors.

Overholt holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario and graduated from the Harvard Business School Executive General Managers Program in 2001.

Derrick Brooks

Executive Vice President of Corporate & Community Affairs

Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks has been with the organization since 2011 when he was named President of the Arena Football League’s Tampa Bay Storm. Brooks currently serves as Executive Vice President for Corporate and Community Affairs for VSG while also serving as co-chairman of the local organizing committee for Super Bowl LV.

Brooks earned his bachelor’s and masters degrees from Florida State University where he was a three-time first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection. He is recognized often for his work in the community, was named a recipient of the 2000 Walter Payton/NFL Man of the Year Award, and has been honored with several local community awards for his work in the Tampa Bay area.

Elizabeth Frazier

Executive Vice President of Community Development and Social Impact & Executive Director of the Lightning Foundation

Elizabeth Frazier has been with the Tampa Bay Lightning as Executive Vice President of Community Development and Social Impact & Executive Director of the Lightning Foundation since 2011. She has led a transformation of the Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Relations departments, including the development of the Lightning Community Heroes program to recognize inspirational individuals throughout the community while donating over $20M over a ten year period to eligible non-profits, the creation and launch of an organization-wide employee volunteer program called C.H.A.R.G.E, the launch of the Community Heroes of Tomorrow program, and the creation and execution of dozens of impactful arts, literacy, and community outreach programs throughout the greater Tampa Bay community.

Prior to working with the Lightning, Elizabeth lived in the Washington D.C. area, where she held Director positions in Operations, Communications and Senior Board Governance and Philanthropy with the SEED Foundation, a national non-profit that provides innovative educational opportunities to at-risk youth.

Jay Feaster

Senior Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs

Jay Feaster is the VSG Sr. Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs, having been named to the position on July 1, 2021. Prior to that time, Feaster served The Lightning Foundation as Vice President of Community Hockey Development. He returned to Tampa in July 2014 after spending four years in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, first as Assistant General Manager and then as General Manager of the Calgary Flames Hockey Club. In his position, Feaster is responsible for VSG’s legal department, government relations, risk management, and various non-recurring special projects. Feaster spent 7-years in Community Hockey growing participation in the game at all levels, and increasing awareness for the game generally, and the team specifically, in the community. He continues to serve as President of the Lightning High School Hockey League, a post he has held since the Lightning organization began operating the League in 2015.

This is Feaster’s second stint with the Lightning, as he served as Assistant General Manager from 1998-2002, and as General Manager from 2002-2008. Feaster guided the Lightning to back-to-back Southeast Division titles (2002-03 and 2003-04), and he was GM in 2004 when the Lightning won the Stanley Cup.

John Franzone

Senior Vice President of Production & Game Presentation

John Franzone has been with the Tampa Bay Lightning since 2008, currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Production & Game Presentation. John and his team are the creative force behind the in-game presentation, features, videos, graphics, and live elements that elevate the Lightning’s guest experience during home games. Additionally, John’s team is responsible for producing a series of episodic productions, broadcast regionally on Scripps Sports, as well as on tampabaylighting.com, the Lightning’s YouTube channel, and other team social media channels.

John’s contributions to the field have earned him esteemed recognition within the Game Presentation industry, including the Information Display & Entertainment Association (IDEA). He was Inducted into the IDEA Hall of Fame in 2010 and has served as the President and Vice President of the organization.

Outside his professional commitments, John is a dedicated supporter of Tampa Bay’s military community. Notably, he was honored as an Honorary Commander with MacDill’s 6th Air Maintenance Group from 2019 to 2022. Additionally, John actively contributes his time and talents to various Tampa Bay charities, including Support the Troops, Feeding Tampa Bay, and the Bullard Family Foundation.

Nicole Parente

Senior Vice President of People Operations

Nicole Parente currently serves as the Senior Vice President of People Operations at Vinik Sports Group, where she plays a pivotal role in overseeing crucial organizational functions. Her responsibilities span payroll and benefits, recruiting, talent acquisition, engagement, and training and development.

Under Nicole’s leadership, Vinik Sports Group and the Tampa Bay Lightning have consistently earned a spot on the prestigious Tampa Bay Times’ Top 100 Best Places to Work list from 2014-2019 and again from 2022 through 2025. This recognition reflects not only the excellence of the organization but also highlights Nicole’s team’s commitment to fostering a positive employee culture that prioritizes both professional advancement and personal well-being.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Nicole actively contributes to making Tampa Bay a better community. She channels her passion for giving back by supporting non-profit organizations, including St. Jude Children’s Hospital and Suncoast Animal League.

Travis Pelleymounter

Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service

ravis brings more than two decades of experience in professional sports, having held leadership roles in both the NHL and NFL across multiple markets. He has been a key member of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vinik Sports Group for over a decade.

As Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service, Travis oversees all aspects of ticketing strategy and execution, including Season Ticket Membership accounts, Group Ticket Sales, the Ticket Office, as well as Premium and Suites. He leads a team of over forty professionals focused on delivering exceptional service and driving revenue growth.