by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Overseeing the City’s sports and entertainment venues is a natural progression for Larry Wilson Jr.
Wilson took over last month as the general manager for SMG, the private management company with a contract to operate Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, the Arena, the Baseball Grounds, the Times-Union Center, the Osborn Center and the Equestrian Center.
Wilson’s previous posting as SMG’s regional general manager in Charlottesville, Va., should allow him to pick up in Jacksonville where he left off there.
While in Charlottesville, Wilson managed the University of Virginia’s 17,000-seat John Paul Jones Arena, the Paramount Theatre of Charlottesville and The Meadow Event Park at the State Fair of Virginia.
He also oversaw the university’s stadium, not for football games but for concerts, including the Rolling Stones and U2.
Wilson began his career with SMG in 1994 and has been involved in the opening of several venues for the company. Before Charlottesville, he was the general manager of the Richmond, Va., Coliseum and also served as assistant general manager of the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City, La.
Early in his career he was director of event services and convention sales at Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville and event services manager at the Palm Springs Convention Center in California.
“Every venue is different and has its own set of needs,” said Wilson.
Born and raised in Memphis, Tenn., Wilson earned a degree in sports management at Memphis State University. While in college, he began his career in venue management.
“I was in college and I really didn’t know what I wanted to do. My roommate was an event coordinator at the Pyramid Arena and I kind of liked doing what he was doing, so I changed my major and did an internship with the Detroit Pistons. Then I went back home and finished my degree,” said Wilson.
“I got lucky and got my foot in the door with a company called LMI, which was purchased by SMG seven years ago. I’ve basically been with SMG almost 16 years when you take into consideration the years I spent with LMI,” said Wilson.
He also said there was one aspect the Jacksonville job offered that has always been on his wish list.
“It has always been a goal of mine to be involved with an NFL team. The Jaguars are a big deal. I also always wanted to run multiple facilities in a market. It’s a big deal, too. It allows us to put several events in the facilities and not compete with a venue across town. There’s not a lot of competition, which helps us get events.”
Wilson also said he’s looking forward to working with the City’s Sports and Entertainment office, which is part of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission.
“I wasn’t really here yet but I worked with Mike (Bouda, JEDC Sports and Entertainment manager) during the NCAA (men’s basketball) tournament. The relationship with the JEDC is fantastic and I’m very happy to be reporting to them and working with them on a daily basis,” said Wilson.
“They are very aggressive in bringing additional events here and that’s helpful. We can work together and bring more events to the city. It’s a great partnership,” he said.
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