Public Events Department draws on deep bench during time of transition
Justin Reid has been named Interim Operations Manager for Will Rogers Memorial Center (WRMC), succeeding longtime City of Fort Worth employee Claude Humphrey upon his retirement after 39 years in venue management. Reid, who has 26 years of tenure with the City’s Public Events Department, was previously one of three operations supervisors at WRMC.
“Justin has worked his way up through the organization, building deep knowledge of this facility and relationships with the clients who call it home,” said Allison McNamara, general manager of WRMC. “From arena footing management to leading cross-functional teams and working with numerous vendors, Justin is well-positioned to lead operations.” Reid holds training certifications from OSHA, The League of Agricultural & Equine Centers and the International Association of Venue Managers. He was the 2024 recipient of the Public Events Department’s Leadership Award and has implemented numerous business process improvements for the specialized set-up needs of WRMC’s diverse clientele.
Mitzi Puma, Sales administrative assistant at the Fort Worth Convention Center (FWCC) since 2023, will step into an interim role as Sales and Events Manager. She will handle local corporate, social and government markets.
“Mitzi has more than 20 years of experience in contract management, vendor coordination and cross-functional collaboration,” said Blake Moorman, director of Sales for the FWCC. “She has a proven ability to manage complex service agreements, streamline administrative processes and provide exceptional customer service.” Puma serves on the department’s Safety and Team Morale Committees and has volunteered for the community by organizing Toys for Tots and local food drives.
About Will Rogers Memorial Center Will Rogers Memorial Center is a historic entertainment, sports and equestrian complex anchoring Fort Worth’s Cultural District. The 120-acre facility is named in memory of Cherokee-American humorist, writer and cowboy entertainer Will Rogers, who died in an airplane crash in 1935. Owned and operated by the City of Fort Worth, the original Coliseum, Pioneer Tower and Auditorium were dedicated in 1936 for the Texas Centennial celebration and are on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the decades, the facility has added show barns, arenas, exhibit halls, meeting spaces and a multipurpose equestrian center, bringing two million visitors through its art deco gates annually. Photos, facility overview and calendar of events are at https://www.fortworth.com/will-rogers-memorial-center/will-rogers-calendar/ .
About the Fort Worth Convention Center Since 1968, the Fort Worth Convention Center has hosted thousands of major national and international events including sports, concerts, political rallies, conventions and trade shows. Owned and operated by the City of Fort Worth, the Convention Center was significantly expanded in 2003. Currently under Phase 2 of a $701 million expansion and modernization, the center has 230,000 square feet of versatile event space, top-quality catering, high-speed connectivity and professional operations staff. The center’s central location and amenities give meeting planners and guests the modern Texas meeting they want. Photos, facility overview and calendar of events are at https://www.fortworth.com/convention-center/.
