Name Cory Howerton | ||
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Cory J. Howerton has spent his entire professional career guiding revenue generating departments of professional sports organizations, specializing in corporate partnerships that drive traffic and crowd building programs. A sought after speaker on a variety of topics, including sports team management and marketing, autism "awareness" sales management, and guest (customer) relations, Howerton books approximately 100 speaking engagements each year.
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Howerton was named the 5th President of the Portland Thunder of the Arena Football League on March 9, 2015 and oversees all team business operations for the two year old Arena Football League franchise. In addition, he is he Owner,President and Chief Executive Officer of PSO (professional sports operatives)360, a sports, entertainment and media company that assist minor league professional sports teams in revenue growth.
Career
Howerton's career with the Quad Cities River Bandits began as the assistant general manager in charge of marketing and promotion. Under Howerton's direction, the River Bandits led the country in percent growth in attendance (56%), as well as maintaining a sponsorship renewal rate of 97%. In addition, Howerton developed award winning marketing campaigns ("You Gotta See The Show", and "Who Wants More?"). During Howertons' tenure as Vice President and CMO, the River Bandits won a number of awards including;
Howerton was the Chief Operating Officer and General Manager for the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League (AFL). As the leader of the Glads executive management team, Howerton oversaw all sales platforms including all team ticket sales and operations as well as sponsorship development, sales and service. Howerton was then the President of the Arena Football Leagues Georgia Force. In this role, Howerton was responsible for all business activities of the club, including ticket and sponsorship sales, game operations, media relations and community relations. During his tenure in Atlanta, the Force had their only sellout in the modern arena football league (post 2009).
In August 2012, Howerton re-launched Professional Sports Operatives (and then re-branded as PSO360) to assist teams and leagues in the development of new revenues through ticket and partnership programs. PSO360 currently has offices in Tampa, Portland, Oregon and Seattle.
During his career, Howerton has also served in sales management capacities with the Seattle SuperSonics and Storm, the Minnesota Twins and the Western Hockey League's Portland Winterhawks.
Personal life
Howerton and his wife Melinda are the parents of four children, Chandler, Alyssa, Spencer and Kadence and they reside in Seattle, Washington.
Charitable works
Howerton sits on the board of directors of the Autism Association, and the American Cancer Society. He is very active in raising funds and generating "awareness" for autism, and is a parent of two boys who are on the Autism Spectrum.