VenuWorks Becomes Employee-Owned Company - Announces Board of Directors

Ames, IA – VenuWorks, a national leader in venue management and operations, launched an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in 2023, with the intention to create a secure succession plan, provide employees the benefit of ownership, and develop a strategic plan for the company’s continued investment, growth, and long-term sustainability.

“This is a significant time in our company’s history. The VenuWorks team is dedicated to and takes great pride in creating memories for the patrons of the venues we manage. Our success is a direct result of the passion, drive, and innovation of our employees,” said Steve Peters, VenuWorks Founder & President. “The establishment of the ESOP reinforces our ongoing commitment to our future, the communities we serve, and our dedicated employees.”

As an integral part of the ESOP, VenuWorks also hosted its inaugural Board of Directors meeting at the corporate office in Ames earlier this month.

“It is my honor and privilege to welcome such a dedicated and talented Board of Directors to the VenuWorks family. With each director bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to our newly established board, I am confident VenuWorks will benefit from their diverse perspectives,” said Peters.

The VenuWorks Board of Directors include: 

Larry B. Perkins, CVE, CPP, CMP
Larry, recently retired, is a 46-year veteran with executive leadership in public assembly, sports, and entertainment management. He most recently served as the Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes/PNC Arena, Raleigh. Larry is a former president of the International Association of Venue Managers and recipient of IAVM’s McElravy Award for lifetime achievement. He was one of the founders of IAVM’s Academy of Venue Safety and Security that was established after the 9/11 attack. He is the author of two books: a memoir entitled Buck Seventy-Two, A Destiny of Will; and Life Choices, The Path I Chose. Larry’s technical works include Crowd Safety and Survival – Practical Event and Public Gathering Safety Tips, (2004) and Crowd Management -in the eye of the storm (1997). Larry has appeared on ESPN and NBC TV discussing crowd safety.

Kimberly Mahoney, Ph.D., CVP
Dr. Mahoney has over 30 years of experience in various segments of the sports and entertainment industry. Currently, as Principal with Venulogix, Kim manages a wide range of projects for clients. Kim has worked in public assembly venues as a contractor, client, and part of the venue management team. She has been involved in the opening of three new venues including a convention center, an NFL stadium, and a 20,000-seat arena. Kim is also the lead author of IAVM’s textbook, Public Assembly Venue Management: Sports, Entertainment, Meeting, and Convention Venues (2015 & 2020 editions), and sole author of The IAVM Blueprint: Event Management (2016).

Joel D. Duncan, SPHR, CPES
Joel is a senior executive with 35 years of leadership, sales, and operational experience in human resources outsourcing. Joel is the Strategic Advisor & Founder of Connectify HR, an Iowa-based PEO serving small to midsized Midwest-based businesses with human resources planning, technology, compliance, payroll, benefits, and retirement administration. As Strategic Advisor, he is responsibility for collaborating with the partners of the organization in establishing strategic direction.

Joseph Peters
Joseph Peters is a New York licensed CPA with over 25 years of experience in the finance and operations of investment management companies in New York City and Southeast Asia. Joe has served as a CFO and CCO managing all aspects of finance, tax, legal, compliance and operations for multiple investment management companies, including Avenue Capital Group. During his tenure with Avenue
Capital Group, Joe transitioned Avenue Asia’s finance and operations from New York to Singapore, providing him the opportunity to work abroad throughout Southeast Asia.

Joe was a co-owner of VenuWorks before selling his shares in 2023.