Shea Returns to Event Center and Storm

The Viaero Event Center and Tri-City Storm Hockey Club announced today that the former Vice President of the team, Greg Shea, is returning to the Viaero Event Center and the Tri-City Storm as President of both operations.

The Kearney native will officially step down from his current position as executive director of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce at the end of July. Shea departed from the Storm in January of 2008 to pursue the position with the chamber. After one and a half years with the chamber he returns to the team and facility that he helped market and promote. In his new role with the team and event center he will be responsible for the day-to-day operations.

"This was a very difficult decision for me and my family, but after much consideration we decided that for the long term, a position of this magnitude best fits my career aspirations and professional development," said Shea. "I am grateful for the rewarding opportunity to serve the membership of the chamber, and will take with me some wonderful experiences that are sure to have an everlasting impact on me personally and professionally."

Event Center and Tri-City Storm owner Kirk Brooks is excited about the future of the area and the two entities. "The Chamber is not losing a director they are gaining a community leader that I anticipate will enhance the entertainment experience of most individuals living in the Tri-City area. I believe that Greg and I share the same aggressive goals in developing both entities, the Event Center and Storm which will serve to benefit the entire community."

Brooks purchased the hockey club and event center in April from Wyoming businessman Joel Wiens. He inherited a club that finished the regular season with a league worst record of 11-48-1, and attendance that dropped to a nine-year low of 2,093 per game.

Shea returns to the sports and entertainment world where he spent 17-plus years in the industry before embarking on a career change with the chamber. He was first named the Storm's Vice President in April 1999. During his eight plus years of leadership, he watched the Storm win a regular season championship, and twice guided the club to the United States Hockey League organization of the year. In addition to his Storm experiences he spent six seasons in minor league professional basketball, before transitioning to the sport of hockey in 1995 with the Omaha Lancers. Beyond team sports, Shea has served in various sports administrative roles as a volunteer, including the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.
"When I first visited with Mr. Brooks about his potential investment in the Kearney community, I was enthused by his passion for the sport, the entertainment business, and even more importantly his strong business approach to customer service," said Shea. "He understands that this is going to be a great challenge, but embraces the job at hand with great energy and conviction."