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Q & A with Jeff Mead, GM at the Glens Falls Civic Center
Recently I met with the newly appointed General Manager of the Glens Falls Civic Center, Jeff Mead. I welcomed him back to Glens Falls, having read in the local paper that Jeff was born and
raised in the area. We sat down at a large meeting table in his office which looks out onto Glens St and the large Civic Center marquis. With a very busy schedule ahead of him and his plans to head to the Sagamore for a few days as is the requirements of the first days of the ARCC’s Leadership Adirondack class commencement, Jeff gave me a few minutes of his day to sit down and ask him a few questions.
Growing up in Glens Falls, what memory stands out to you the most?
That would have to be playing hockey in high school and winning two championships while on the team.
What brought your back to the Glens Falls area?
I came back specifically because of the Glens Falls Civic Center. I saw the job posting online and I sent in my application.
I know that you have been working at the Civic Center for a short period of time, when exactly was your first day on the job?
My official first day of work at the Civic Center was July 20th.
What does an average day as General Manager at the Civic Center look like?
My day consists mainly of working with the rest of the Civic Center staff; the event manager and operations staff and I communicate throughout the day planning for upcoming events and working on the day to day operations. I also spend a lot of my work day in meetings- either working with the coordinators of upcoming event or meeting about potential events at the Civic Center.
In the short amount of time you have been the General Manager of the Civic Center what are the major projects and changes that have been made?
The first major change that I took on was removing the food service company, the Civic Center will now take care of food services internally. We hope to see a significant improvement in revenue because of this change. Other recent improvements that we are currently working on is providing Wi-Fi throughout the Civic Center, upgrading the arena lights and audio system, as well as upgrading the marquis that is on Glens Street.
What are some of the major events happening at the Civic Center?
In the past few weeks the Civic Center hosted the ‘Gala of Horses’ and ‘Big Time Wrestling’. In October the Civic Center will host many different events. On October 9th we will host the popular heavy metal band, ‘Five Finger Death Punch’, on October 15th the family friendly ‘Garden Bros. Circus’ and the Adirondack Thunder Hockey will have their opening game against Manchester on October 24th. Also LARAC’s Annual Fall Festival will be hosted at the Civic Center for the first time on October 31- Nov 1.
I see that you are going to be a part of the ARCC’s Adirondack Leadership class this year, congratulations! What made you interested in participating in this program?
I think it will be a good way for me to get out into the community, a great networking opportunity. I am interested in learning more about the region and the Leadership Class will be a great way for me to do this. I will get to take ‘behind the scenes’ tours of local businesses I would not have the opportunity to see otherwise.
What are your goals for the Glens Falls Civic Center while you are General Manager?
My main goals are to make the Civic Center work financially and to book more successful events.
And lastly, what would you like the readers of the ARCC blog to know about you?
I am excited to get more involved and to learn more about Glens Falls and the region.
Blog post written by Candice Frye
Candice is the Community Outreach Coordinator for LARAC. She also is a coordinator for the Glens Falls Farmers' Market and is actively involved with the Glens Falls Collaborative and Kiwanis of Glens Falls. When she's not working she loves to spend time with her family, friends, and two best dogs in the world Ace and Lulu!
