DENVER—Oak View Group (OVG) has announced two leadership appointments across its venue management portfolio, including a promotion at its Lexington, Ky., properties and the appointment of the first general manager of the newly named Caney Pines Convention Center in New Caney, Texas.
Laura Alexander has been promoted to vice president of Rupp Arena, Central Bank Center, Lexington Opera House, and the OVG Concert Series at Gatton Park. Alexander will be the first woman to serve as the top executive overseeing Rupp Arena and Central Bank Center, succeeding Tom Minton, William Owens, and Brian Sipe. Melanie Granado has been named general manager of Caney Pines Convention Center, a 210,070-square-foot facility scheduled to open in December.
“Laura and Melanie are both accomplished leaders who have demonstrated an exceptional ability to build strong teams, drive operational excellence, and create meaningful opportunities for the communities they serve,” says Greg O’Dell, president of OVG venue management. “As our portfolio continues to grow, investing in experienced, collaborative leadership is essential to the success of our venues and our partners. It’s exciting to see their hard work and dedication recognized through these important opportunities, and we look forward to the impact their leadership will have on their respective venues.”
Alexander currently serves as assistant general manager for the Lexington venues. In her new role, she will oversee operations across the Lexington venue portfolio. Her responsibilities will include event management, sales and marketing, facility operations, guest experience, financial performance, and booking activity, as well as national touring acts at Gatton Park on the Town Branch. Her promotion is effective Oct. 3.
Since joining OVG in Lexington in 2022, Alexander has helped establish the operational framework for the transformed convention center and position the venue campus as a destination for conventions, entertainment, sporting events, and community gatherings.
Working with clients, community stakeholders, tourism partners, and the Lexington Center Corporation Board, Alexander has helped guide the properties through growth in convention business, entertainment programming, client satisfaction, and community engagement. During her tenure, the venue campus has hosted hundreds of events and earned industry recognition.
Before joining Oak View Group in Lexington, Alexander developed her venue management career in Owensboro, Ky., where she gained experience in convention center operations, event management, and community engagement.
Granado will oversee day-to-day operations at Caney Pines Convention Center, including scheduling, operations, finance, advertising, sponsorship, and hospitality. Her appointment is effective immediately.
The 210,070-square-foot convention center, scheduled to open in December, is expected to be the third-largest convention center in the Houston area and the seventh-largest in Texas.
Granado joins the new facility from the OVG-managed Hilliard Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she most recently served as assistant general manager. She previously held leadership positions as OVG Hospitality general manager and vice president of convention center sales and operations. During her time at Hilliard Center, Granado led the hospitality team in developing the Community Incubator Program, an initiative designed to create opportunities and provide support for local businesses and entrepreneurs.
Before joining OVG, Granado served as sales manager for Visit Corpus Christi and director of sales at Ortiz Center.
The appointments expand Oak View Group’s leadership team as the company prepares for the opening of Caney Pines Convention Center while continuing to oversee a growing portfolio of convention, entertainment, and event venues.
