Meet the Team

Our Directors and Executive team are dedicated leaders to the staff at Gas South District. Meet the team behind the curtain!

They're passionate about creating a thriving environment that enables their employees to maintain a higher level of standards for our patrons and clients every day.

Stan Hall

Chief Executive Officer of the Gwinnett Convention & Visitors Bureau

 

Stan Hall was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Gwinnett Convention & Visitors Bureau (Explore Gwinnet) in September of 2021.  Explore Gwinnett houses the Gwinnett Sports Commission, the PGA TOUR Champions Mitsubishi Electric Classic, the Gwinnett Film Office, and the GCVB Board of Directors oversees the operations of Gas South District. Prior to becoming CEO, Stan was the Chief Operating Officer of GCVB and Executive Director of the Gwinnett Sports Commission and Gwinnett Championship Foundation. In addition to his responsibilities at Gas South District and Explore Gwinnett, Stan is Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Gwinnett County Licensing and Revenue Board of Appeals and Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Sugarloaf Community Improvement District. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for Gwinnett Public Schools Foundation, Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation, Piedmont Eastside Medical Hospital, Gwinnett Police Foundation, and Mosaic Georgia. Stan also serves on advisory committees for the Gwinnett Public Schools Student Leadership Program and the Gwinnett Sports Hall of Fame. He is a fifth-generation resident of Gwinnett, where he and his wife, Janell, continue to happily reside. They have one daughter, Gabriella, and he is a life-long Georgia Bulldog fan.

Monte Ortel

General Manager

Monte Ortel joined the Gas South District team as General Manager in September 2021.  He oversees all business divisions for Gas South District, Gwinnett Sports Commission, Mitsubishi Electric Classic, and Coolray Field. Prior to his current role with the organization, Monte served as the Executive Director of the Gwinnett Sports Commission and Mitsubishi Electric Classic. Monte’s extensive history in event management also includes Executive Director for The Greenbrier Classic in Lewisburg, WV, Director of Operations at Turning Stone Resort Championship in Verona, NY and the Tournament Operations Manager at the 84 LUMBER Classic in Farmington, PA. Monte received his BS from Washington Adventist University and MS in Sport Management from Slippery Rock University. He also serves on the PGA TOUR Champions Advisory Board and Children’s Sports Network Advisory Board and currently resides in Dacula, GA with his family.  

  

Robyn Ali

Assistant General Manager 

Robyn Ali has been with the company since October 2007. She has worked as the Administrative and Booking Assistant, the Office Manager and Booking Coordinator, the Director of Marketing, the Executive Director of Marketing and Business Development, and now serves as the Assistant General Manager. She oversees Convention Center sales, Marketing, and the Business Development & Premium departments. Prior to working with the company, Robyn held positions in the sports industry working for the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Spirit, and National Basketball Association. She is from Lilburn, GA where she graduated from Shiloh High School. Robyn studied at the University of Georgia earning a BBA in Marketing. Currently, Robyn lives with her family in Lawrenceville, GA and has a true passion for community involvement and giving back.

Ron Jackson

Executive Director of Facilities

Ron Jackson has been with the company since June of 2010 and is currently in the role of the Executive Director of Facilities. He oversees the Security, Engineering, IT, and Parking departments campus-wide. Prior to working with Gas South District, Ron served as General Manager of the Curb Event Center at Belmont University in Nashville, TN and held positions at Bridgestone Arena and Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. He is from Decatur, GA and spent most of his youth in Forsyth County where he graduated from Mary Persons High School. Ron holds a BBA double major in Economics and Risk Management, as well as an M.Ed. in Sport Management and Administration from the University of Georgia. Currently, Ron lives with his wife, two kids, dog, and cat in Suwanee, GA where he enjoys spending time with his family, attending church, and traveling.

Dan Markham

Executive Director of Arena Management

Dan Markham has been with the company since 2007. He started as Senior Sales Manager and worked his way to becoming the Executive Director of Arena Booking & Management. Prior to working with Gas South District, Dan co-owned and operated an entertainment booking and production business for over 20 years. He shares the hometown of Uncle Sam from Troy, New York and he graduated from Catholic Central High School. After earning a degree in Electrical Technology and Construction he moved to Orlando, Florida to start working in Lighting and Technical Stage production. Throughout his career Dan has had a diverse background in touring and facility management, as well as technical production. Early in his career he worked as the Technical Director responsible for opening Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. After several years he accepted the position of Assistant Director for a concert and sports complex in upstate New York. Currently, Dan lives with his wife Cameron and two kids Lila and Sam in Sandy Springs, GA where he enjoys coaching & watching his kids play basketball, football and lacrosse, and he also loves traveling to historical destinations.

Jennifer Silas

Executive Director of Finance

Jennifer Silas has been with the company since 2003. She began working as a part-time Staff Accountant, moved up to Senior Accountant and then Accounting Manager before she was promoted to Executive Director of Finance. She currently oversees all areas of financial and accounting activities for the company. Prior to working with Gas South District, Jennifer worked for First Union Bank as the Assistant Vice President and as Bank Officer with Citizens and Southern National Bank. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Science degree from State University of New York at Geneseo. She is from Cortland, New York and currently lives in Gwinnett County where she enjoys figure skating, reading and spending time with her family.

Cheryl Alicea

Director of Human Resources

Cheryl Alicea has been with the company since January 1995. She has worked as an Administrative Assistant for Sales & Marketing, Executive Assistant, and Human Resources Manager. Currently, she is the Director of Human Resources overseeing all aspects of HR operations. Prior to working at Gas South District, Cheryl worked at Alpine Electronics of America headquarters for 10 years in their Marketing Department as well as their HR & Finance Department. She is originally from Wood Dale, Illinois before moving to Southern California at 16 and then finally ending up in Georgia 15 years later. Outside of work, she loves to watch Chicago sports, spend time with her family, and travel. Cheryl lives with her husband, daughter, dog, and cat in Dacula, GA.

Neal Humphreys

Director of Event Services, Arena

Neal Humphreys has been with the company since August 2000. He started as a full-time Audio Technician, then worked as the Arena Tech Services and Event Services Supervisor, and he is now the Director of Arena Event Services. In his current role, Neal oversees Event Services, Tech Services, and Operations in the Arena. Prior to working with Gas South District, Neal worked in the sound and lighting industries for various companies including Six Flags Over Georgia and Norwegian Cruise Line. He is from the small southern town of Cairo, GA in Grady County where he graduated from Cairo High School, the home of the Syrupmakers. Neal studied Music Education with a concentration in Vocal Performance at Brewton Parker College. Currently, Neal lives in Lawrenceville with his family and two dogs that keep him very busy. In his free time, he enjoys doing anything that allows him to be outside.

Kim Kettler

Director of Ticketing

Kim Kettler has been with Gas South District since 2006. She first started as the Ticket Office Assistant Manager, was promoted to Ticket Office Manager and is now currently the Director of Ticketing where she directs all aspects of ticketed events on campus. Kim has been involved in Ticketing and Guest Management since 1992, so it's only natural that she made a career out of it. Some of her past experiences including working the Orlando Shakespeare Festival, The Lakeland Center, The Centennial Theater Festival, Florida State University, The Virginia Shakespeare Festival, and at the Dungeon Theatre. She is also a former Board Member of the Georgia Professional Ticketing Association (GaPTA) where she held positions of Secretary, Member at Large, Vice President and President. She is originally a Floridian, but her family moved to Georgia when she was a child, so she can technically call herself a “Gwinnettian”. She went to North Gwinnett High School and prides herself in being a Theater Freak! Kim studied Theatre and minored in Vocal Music at Huntingdon College earning a Bachelor of the Arts degree. She also has a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Management from Florida State University. Currently, Kim lives in Dacula, GA with her husband, Tim and their two beautiful rescue pups, Lilu and Corison.

Chris Knowles

Director of Safety & Security

Chris Knowles has been working with the company since 2005. He first started as a subcontracted MedTech, then worked as a part-time Fire Marshal in 2017 and then moved to a full-time Safety Manager position in 2022. In his role as Director of Safety and Security, Chris oversees operations within the safety and security departments on campus. Prior to working at Gas South District, Chris worked with Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services for over 25 years which has led to his extensive safety and emergency management background. He has earned certifications through FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Fire Academy. Chris is from Buford, GA, and he attended Buford High School where he played multiple sports and graduated with a baseball scholarship to Valdosta State. Outside of work, Chris enjoys watching and attending Buford and UGA sporting events, traveling, and grilling for family and friends. After living in Buford his whole life, he now currently resides in Dacula, GA with his wife Beth and enjoys spending time with his sons, Ryan and Matthew, and daughter-in-law Rebekah.

Bill Marriott

Director of Business Development

Bill Marriott has been with the company since 2017. His journey started as the Sales Manager for Mitsubishi Electric Classic and then Director of Corporate Partnerships. He is currently the Director of Business Development for Gas South District and Mitsubishi Electric Classic. In his role, he works to build corporate partnerships and suite sales. Prior to working with Gas South District and Mitsubishi Electric Classic, Bill gained 20 years of experience in sponsorship, hospitality, and advertising sales with a focus on sports and media. Bill has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from the University of Maryland. He is from Eldersburg, Maryland and is an all-around fan of Maryland sports as well as the New York Giants. Most of his time outside of work is spent at youth sporting events and really anything sports related. Currently, Bill resides in Dacula, Georgia with his wife, Shannon, four kids, and English Bulldog, Scout.

Marcia Powell

Director of Marketing & Guest Experience 

Marcia has been with the company from 2000 through 2004 and then returned in 2016. Currently she oversees all campus-wide marketing efforts and works as a liaison between the promoters and the venue to help facilitate marketing for the shows. She also manages the Guest Experience team to ensure all standards and customer service expectations are met. Marcia has spent her entire career with Gas South District. She started in 2000 in Sales & Marketing and left temporarily after 4 years to be with her family. She came back in 2016 as the Marketing Communications Manager and was later promoted to Director of Marketing & Guest Experience. Marcia was born in Maryland but has lived in Georgia since 5th grade. She graduated from Central Gwinnett High School in Lawrenceville. She studied Public Relations at the University of Georgia. Marcia lives with her husband, two sons, two dogs and two cats in Loganville and enjoys spending time with her family, watching her kids play baseball and camping.