The Columbus Crew announced today that it has hired Clark Beacom as its new Vice President of Ticket Sales. He joins the Crew from the Tampa Bay Rays (MLB), where he held various leadership positions over the past seven years in their sales department, most recently as Senior Director of Group and Suite Sales.
Beacom, who assumes his new post today, has 10 years of sales and management experience overall, having also spent time selling for the New Orleans Saints (NFL) and Palace Sports and Entertainment, the parent company for the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) and Tampa Bay Storm (AFL).
“Clark has a proven track record of success in ticket sales for professional sports,” said Crew Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mike Malo. “He’s a young executive who enjoys and excels in tickets sales. He also brings a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective from selling in MLB and the NFL. The Crew is thrilled to welcome him aboard as we move forward in our efforts to grow our season ticket base.”
As he climbed the ladder with the Rays, Beacom was responsible for selling season tickets, groups, premium seats and suites, as well as sales management. He also focused on revenue stream development, and created and implemented a variety of new customer service programs and events.
Prior to joining the Rays, Beacom spent two years with the Saints (2002-04), where he gained experience in corporate sales, in addition to tickets sales. His first stint in the Tampa Bay market, with Palace Sports from 2001-02, came following his graduation from Hope College in Holland, Mich., where he played varsity baseball and club hockey.
“I am excited to be in Columbus and to be joining such a tremendous organization as the Crew,” said Beacom. “ In the young MLS history, the Crew has proven to be a premier organization and I am proud to be a part of Central Ohio’s team.”
Founded by American sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members, it won its first MLS Cup championship in 2008 and has also won the 2002 U.S. Open Cup and MLS Supporters’ Shield titles in 2004, 2008 and 2009. It is in its 16th season overall and 13th at first-of-its-kind Crew Stadium.
