March 22 , 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JOHN HANSON INTERVIEWS ERWIN CENTER’S JIMMY EARL ABOUT IAAM

AUSTIN, TEXAS –

John Hanson, host and producer of the nationally syndicated radio series IN BLACK AMERICA recently interviewed Jimmy Earl, CFE, the associate director of the Frank Erwin Center about his career in facility management.  Earl was named president of the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM) last year in Reno, Nevada.  IAAM is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement and professional development of public assembly facility managers of arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts theaters and university facilities. 

Hanson has produced IN BLACK AMERICA since 1980 and has attained an enormous audience, in both large and small markets, who want to know what’s happening in the worldwide black community.  Hanson’s interviewees are members of the black community who have achieved success or are rising stars in the fields of business, sports, entertainment, banking, teaching or politics.  Earl, a 28-year industry veteran, is currently serving his one-year term as president of IAAM and is dedicated to furthering the advancement of the initiative of the association, as well as those of the industry as a whole.  He has learned volumes about managing a facility since the days before he was ‘enlightened’ about the industry.  

“I had no idea there was a facility managing industry,” Earl said.  “I had been a kid who had gone to see James Brown and the Supremes and various concerts at the civic center [Amarillo, TX], but I had no concept of what it took to produce and put on those events.” 

By 1977, Earl became the events manager of the Frank Erwin Center in its inaugural year. 

“One of the unique features about the Erwin Center is that it was one of the first venues that was full-service.  When I say full-service, I mean that it was a one-stop-shopping venue.  We provided all of the necessary ingredients to produce any event.  We have our own ticketing, our own food and beverage operation, our own technical services, security…all of those were provided in house and at the time that was unheard of, so that was very forward-thinking for the time.”

Earl now serves as president elect of a 3,600 member association whose goal is to contribute to the professional and personal development of public assembly facility manager members through the promotion and development of quality programs and services.  As associate director for the Frank Erwin Center, Earl is responsible for planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling all operational areas of the venue. 

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Media Contact: Leslie Lyon @ 512/471-3678

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Frank Erwin Center
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Austin, TX 78701

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