Green Bay Packers promote three in top ranks, redistribute duties
GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers promoted three people and redistributed responsibilities in the wake of a hiring and a resignation.
Longtime security director Doug Collins was promoted to vice president of security, facilities and risk and added to the senior staff. Jackie Krutz was promoted to director of Titletown development, making her a member of the leadership team, and Scott Thompson was promoted to assistant director of business analytics and food and beverage.
They assume some of the duties that were handled by Charlie Millerwise, director of development and hospitality, who resigned from the organization, and Paul Baniel, vice president of finance and administration, who will retire in October. The Packers recently hired Maureen Smith as chief financial officer to take over the fiscal part of Baniel's duties. She also will oversee the organization's information technology department.
Collins, who usually can be seen not far from Packers coach Matt LaFleur on the sidelines during games, has more than 21 years of experience overseeing the team's security department. He came to the Packers from the Green Bay Police Department. He worked off-duty for then-security director Jerry Parins before he joined the team full time in 2001 as the team increased its security staff to deal with the stadium being open year-round after the 2003 renovation.
Krutz joined the Packers in 2017. She was director of experience at Playa Vista, Calif., a mixed-use development in Los Angeles. For more than six years, Krutz led Titletown's diverse programming, collaborated with the development's partners and contributed to the residential growth. Krutz will oversee Titletown, including programs, residential operations and new development.
Thompson, who joined the organization in 2012, will lead efforts to analyze and use data relating to Lambeau Field, and will oversee the team's food and beverage operations with Delaware North.
"We're pleased to promote Doug, Jackie and Scott to these new positions," said Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy. "They've each been instrumental members of the team during their tenures, helping our organization excel as it has continued to grow over the years. We're looking forward to seeing the impact they'll make with their enhanced leadership roles."
The senior staff, which includes Chief Operating Officer Ed Policy, Smith and team vice presidents, meets with Murphy weekly. The leadership team, which includes heads of departments, meets monthly, or more often if circumstances require.
Other key leaders on the business side of the organization include Craig Benzel, vice president of sales and business development; Gabrielle Dow, vice president of marketing and fan engagement; Nicole Ledvina, vice president of human resources; and Jason Wahlers, vice president of communications.
More: Inside 1265: Doug Collins keeps Lambeau safe
More: Green Bay Packers name Maureen Smith as new chief financial officer
On the football side of the organization, the Packers said Wes Burnard is the team's new video director, succeeding Chris Kirby, who stepped down after 31 years with organization.
Burnard worked for the Buffalo Bills from 2007-09 as a video systems analyst, before his promotion to assistant video director in 2010. Before that, he was a video assistant in 2006 for the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe. He graduated from Utah State University, where he worked as a video assistant for the football team from 2002-04 and then was the team’s video director from 2005-06.
Kirby's professional career was with the Packers. He was an intern in 1992 before being hired full time as a video assistant in 1993. He was promoted to assistant video director in 2001, and for the past 10 seasons worked as the team’s video director.
Contact Richard Ryman at rryman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @RichRymanPG, on Instagram at @rrymanPG or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardRymanPG/.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Packers promote three in top ranks, redistribute duties
