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 Name:
Dexter King, CFE
Title: Executive director
Facility/Company: International
Association
of Assembly Managers
City-State-Country: Coppell, Texas
Year CFE obtained: 1997
Email:
dexter.king@iaam.org
What facilities have you worked in?
Over 32 years of managing public venues, theater, stadia, arena and
convention centers, I predominantly worked on university campuses, both
state and private. I began my career in venue management at Oral Roberts
University (ORU), a liberal arts college in Tulsa, where I was hired as a
technical director for the Mabee Center arena and its television studio. I
eventually became the director in 1974. During my 11-and-a-half years at ORU,
I had additional responsibility over operational facets of Howard
Auditorium, Christ Chapel and Johnson Stadium. In 1981, I moved to Boise,
Idaho to open the Pavilion, a 12,000-seat arena on the campus of Boise State
University. I served as executive director there until SMG hired me to
become the regional GM for SMG Alaska, overseeing the Egan Center, Sullivan
Arena, Carlson Center and two other community centers..
What is your favorite food or restaurant?
I used to respond to this question, “Mexican food.” However, I have now
developed a passion for an eclectic style of cuisine. Among my favorite
places to dine are Orso’s in Anchorage, Cuba Libre in Dallas, Ubiquitous
Chip in Glasgow, Scotland, Alfredo’s of Rhome in New York City, and
Six-One-Six in Boise, Idaho; all great experiences with exceptional menus.
What book are you currently reading?
The book I’m currently reading is Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace, one I
would highly recommend to every colleague. This book tackles the basics of
building potential in your organization by providing a safe environment for
fresh ideas and creating opportunity.
What CD is in your car right now?
The current music CD in my truck could be jazz (Four Play), might be
country (George Strait), maybe even contemporary Christian rock (Third Day),
but I think it is a contemporary Italian artist, Eros Ramazzotti. However,
most of the time, I flip between my two favorites, Jack Johnson and Michael
Bublé.
What is the weirdest event you ever had in a
facility you've worked in?
Probably the most notable event I hosted — not necessarily weird,
but certainly the most challenging — was one of the last concerts by the
Seattle-based group Nirvana. This event was one of the very few events that
we came close to losing the house from chaotic encouragement from the stage.
Literally every one of the thousand chairs ganged together on the arena
floor was dismantled and passed overhead to the front of the stage. The band
Phish was another unusual event. With their entourage of faithful followers
arriving days ahead of each stop on the tour, everywhere you turned, you
would find them in and around the arena — sometimes in the most unusual
places, such as the team showers. Now that I think about it, that was the
weirdest.
What is a motto, inspiration or quote you try to
live by?
“I never met a person I didn’t like”— Will Rogers. Everybody has value,
regardless of their personality, thinking styles, culture, etc. Diversity is
a blessing to everyone’s life because it adds a different point of
view/perspective, leveraging the most out of life.
Why did you choose to pursue the CFE?
When I was young, very new in the business and just getting involved
in IAAM, I embraced the need to elevate the perceived value of our
profession through a legitimate certification program. Like many of us may
have experienced, the role I played in contributing to the cultural and
economic benefits of the community was not fully understood or even
respected on campus. Therefore, I sought to get involved with the CFE board
to enhance its credentialing value for myself and others through ensuring a
solid academic approach to certification.
What has been a benefit or is a benefit of
having a CFE?
Earning my CFE brought with it an incredible degree of professional
recognition and appreciation of my management philosophy, coupled with a
personal satisfaction of achievement.
Would you recommend attaining CFE to other
international colleagues? Why?
I would, so that every career professional in venue management could
experience the benefits and rewards associated with earning a CFE. The
process alone is worth the journey towards certification. It causes you to
process in depth the character and necessary rudiments attendant to serving
others and making a difference in the communities we each serve.
What couldn't you live without?
Being a relational person, one that thrives on helping others to be
successful, I would find it very difficult to not have relationships;
specifically colleagues, friends, and my family to experience. But, most of
all, I could not live without a spiritual relationship of hope and faith in
God.
What's your most prized possession?
Wow. Two levels to this question. On the higher level, the love of my
beloved companion and the life-long friendships that have come from working
in the theatre, film, concert, sports, entertainment and convention
industries. On the mean level, the beast with the 113 cubic-inch engine,
ported heads, 251 cam, Vance and Hine headers, S&S ovals, and six-speed
tranny — upon which my beloved companion and I go touring.
What's your favorite place on earth?
I have many favorites, places where I like to go, but what stirs me
the most in my inner self is the back country of a wilderness environment,
particularly in the mountainous regions of the Rocky Mountains. The Sawtooth
Mountain Range in Central Idaho, accessed through a little-known trail head
called “Grandjean” on the South Fork of the Payette River, I would have to
say, is my favorite. A week in that pristine back country at 10,000 feet
will revitalize your spirit in an awesome way.
What's your most favorite moment in sports
history?
There is no question about this one. The 2007 Fiesta Bowl game between
Oklahoma and Boise State was the game of the century — one you could
re-experience again and again with excitement, especially if you are from
Boise.
What's the one thing most people would be
surprised to learn about you?
My diverse likes would probably surprise many people. I enjoy playing my
guitar, riding my horse, skiing, cooking, construction, art, card games,
sports, dancing, ranching, travel, reading, etc. But, most of all, I like to
write.
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