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Indian Head MD News

Apr 22, 2016

Past Presidents Remembered

I know, but he was the Marlboro man,” Peters said.Peters recalled Saunders’ personality and sense of humor. No one ever forgot his donning of a full Indian headdress when accepting the gavel as president of IAAM, a nod to his own Native American heritage, being part Cherokee, and tohis plan to be chief. Peters also recalled his sense of humor, like when he was addressing the board and declared, “that’s a work of fiction, like one of Bob Mayer’s expense reports,” referring to his longtime henchman in Tulsa and also a past president of IAAM. “That’s what makes IAAM wonderful. We are one family. Roy welcomed you,” Peters said.Ross and Saunders mentored many in this industry. Wil Gorman, who now runs Show Me Center, started out there selling merchandise when he was a student at Southeast Missouri State University. Gorman has been in close touch with the extended network of professionals in this industry mentored by Ross, just as he was, which include but are not limited to Will Lofdahl, who is now as SaskTel Center, Saskatoon; Terry Dederich, now at Ford Center, Evansville, Ind.; Jim Barbatti, assistant director at Show Me Center; Brad Gentry, now with Live Nation in the Seattle area; and Mark Lee, now with Pro Sound Audio Visual. “The industry has Mother Hubbard,” Gorman said, referring to Barbara Hubbard who mentors students and pros alike and is a legend in the industry. “I think of David as Mr. Hubbard.” Gorman recalled the February 1992 when the late Bruce Lehrke’s Longhorn Rodeo was playing Show Me Center and a bull jumped the ring and charged through the seating section for several minutes before the clowns cornered him. Ross was the manager at the time. Miraculously, the bull never scratched a soul. Gorman was talking to an audience member whose son, who had Downs Syndrome, was in the front row very near the bull’s entry point and the dad said all was well. In fact, his son was delighted and thought it was part of the show. Once the rodeo ended and the let down began, Gorman asked Ross how he felt. “Lucky,” he responded. “Very lucky.” Ross experienced what every venue manager deals with when hosting large crowds at exciting events, and he handled it all with grace. Ross started his venue industry journey with the North American Soccer League at RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C., spent some time in baseball, then moved to the University of Tennessee Chattanooga before his stint at SEMO, which began in 1987. The original cover art caricature for Venues Today in July 2005 featured officers Jimmy Earl, David Ross and Larry Perkins. Larry Perkins, PNC Arena, Raleigh, N.C., who was going through the IAVM chairs with Ross, remembered how much he enjoyed adventure and, even more, telling stories about his adventures. He never tired of telling about the opportunity to go to the top of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, a privilege only granted to people with connections. He remembered having to squeeze, really squeeze, into a tiny elevator to make the ascent into the clouds.Show Me Center spent a day posting pictures and thoughts in honor of David Ross and will likely be the family’s choice for a memorial service later this... (Venues Today)