HOOVER MET COMPLEX TEAM
The Hoover Met Complex team is dedicated to making your experience great. Learn more about what it means to be a part of the team HERE!
OPEN POSITIONSExecutive Leadership Team
John Sparks
Account Executive, SFC
Expertise: Venue Management & Operations
After a successful 20 years serving in the US Navy, John Sparks retired honorably and began his career in sports and entertainment facility management. In 1997, Sparks was hired to be the Operations & Maintenance Manager for a CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The following year he was made the Director of Operations for the Phillips Arena, where he oversaw the construction and development of the building prior to opening and operating until 2001. Sparks was selected to be the Assistant General Manager for the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, where he once again was involved in the construction and development until opening in 2002. In 2004 Sparks was promoted to Vice President/General Manager of AT&T Center, where he oversaw operations of the building through three NBA Championships over the next 10 years. In 2011, he worked briefly on the construction and development of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn New York until opening his own consulting business “Sage in Sight” in August of 2012.
Sparks consulted with numerous groups and organizations throughout all areas of sports management, technical systems, staffing, operations and finance. In 2014 he joined the Orlando Venues Team (a division of the City of Orlando) as the Stadium Operations Assistant Division Manager of the Citrus Bowl, where he was in charge of numerous high-level, high-attendance events including: NCAA college bowl game, NFL Pro Bowl, MLS soccer, International Soccer Copa America, and numerous concerts and festivals.
Sparks is married to his wife, Gail, for 39 years, and the happy couple have four children, William, Daniel, Katherine, and Jonathan.
Administrative Team
ERIN FINNEY
Office Manager
Expertise: Human Resources & Finance
Erin joined the Hoover Met Complex team in June 2018. Before coming aboard, she had extensive involvement in customer service as well as 10+ years of diverse management experience. Erin works on a variety of projects with the Hoover Met Complex management staff and manages ‘Hoover Climbing & Adventure’, too.
Erin graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Since then she has worked with numerous community outreach programs, charity organizations, and event planning projects such as the YMCA, Birmingham Museum of Art, and the Cahaba River Society; to name a few.
Born and raised in Birmingham, Erin remains active in her community and continues to teach at Alabama Dance Academy located in Hoover. She has a passion for music which she shares with her husband who is a local and regional artist. In her free time, you can usually catch her at one of his shows!
windy allen
RV/Administrative Coordinator
Expertise: Office Management & Administration
Facilities
TUCKER RAINEY
Facility Operatons Manager
Expertise: Facility Operations & Event Management
Tucker became a part of the Hoover Met Complex team as our Facility Operations Manager in November 2020. The previous three years he served as a Recreation Leader for Montgomery (AL) County Parks and Recreation. His experience also includes event management, campus recreation, and youth sports programming. His role at the Hoover Met Complex is to lead a strong operations team to provide our patrons and clients with the best experience the Hoover Met has to offer.
Tucker earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Auburn University in 2014 and earned his Master of Science in Sports and Fitness Management in 2016 from Troy University.
Tucker lives in Calera, AL and enjoys working out, playing golf, camping, and going to Smith Lake. His loyalty also lies with anything Auburn and cheering on the Tigers any time he can. Tucker is happily married and the two have a lab named Ace.
ETHAN MICHAELIS
Facility Operations Coordinator
Expertise: Facility Operations
Ethan came to the Hoover Met Complex in January 2020 as a Facility Operations team member. After one year he was promoted to Facility Operations Coordinator. Prior to working at the Hoover Met Complex, Ethan worked for the Mobile BayBears, a Minor League baseball team in Mobile, Alabama, as their Clubhouse Manager.
Ethan graduated from the University of South Alabama in 2018, earning a Bachelors of Science in Sports and Recreation Management. During his four years of college, he was a student manager for the baseball and men’s basketball teams, as well as an intern with the athletic department focusing on event and facility operations.
Ethan lives in Bessemer with his wife, Taylor, and their dog, Link. He enjoys playing disc golf, card games, and running in his free time.
AUSTIN PEARSON
Facility Operations Coordinator
Expertise: Facility Operations
Austin came to the Hoover Met Complex in September of 2021 as a Facility Operations Coordinator. Prior to working at the Hoover Met Complex, Austin worked for the Athletic Department at Jacksonville State University under the Director of Athletic Operations, and previously as a University Recreation Supervisor at the Jacksonville State Rec Center.
Austin graduated from Jacksonville State University in July of 2020, earning a Bachelors of Science in Sports Management with a minor in Marketing. During his years in college, he assisting in hosting many athletic events such as the AHSAA Northeast Basketball Regional, OVC Volleyball Tournament, and many more.
Austin lives in Gardendale with his wife, Grace, and their chocolate lab, Bentley. When not at work Austin enjoys watching football, playing with his dog, and spending time with his wife.
Food & Beverage
JD DANFORAH
Food & Beverage Manager
Expertise: Food & Beverage/Catering
JD was born in the heart of the Magic City and raised in the Hoover/Vestavia area, and is huge on family and good food. He began his career working for his father’s business at Remon’s Clothier. Remon’s has been in the Birmingham, AL area for over 40 years. After learning the art of catering to the needs of his father’s clients, he found his life-long passion of hospitality in the restaurant industry.
In his free time JD enjoys giving back to his community. On April 27, 2011 Tuscaloosa, AL was hit with 62 devastating tornados. JD along with his father and Remon’s staff traveled with supplies to aid tornado victims. He also teamed up with his cousins, owners of Full Moon BBQ, to help feed Alabama Power Disaster Relief linemen. JD’s proudest achievement was being asked to lead the Food Bank effort for the Jefferson County Unified Command Center, providing food and water to local schools and housing communities during the Covid-19 shut down in March, 2020.
Danforah says “this passion has to come from the heart, because it’s not a job, but a way of life. It takes unique, heartfelt individuals who love a crazy and intense atmosphere to thrive in the restaurant industry, and in an environment like this.” Danforah feels very fortunate to be a part of the SFC family, and to live in an incredible community like Hoover.
JIMMIE FINNEY
Food & Beverage Coordinator
Expertise: Food & Beverage
Sales, Sponsorships, & Marketing
lisa fehr
Sales Coordinator
Expertise: Sponsorship & Event Sales
Lisa brings an extensive amount of experience in sports, including corporate sponsorships, management, guest engagement, and marketing to the Hoover Met Complex team. She spent the majority of her career with the NBA’s Orlando Magic in a variety of sales management and leadership positions. Her role expanded to include the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation and a team from the (IHL) International Hockey League/Solar Bears, and (WNBA) Women’s National Basketball Association/Miracle. As part of the launch team, Lisa helped bring women’s pro basketball and minor league hockey to Central Florida.
Lisa earned her Bachelor of Science from Troy University, double majoring in Public Relations/Advertising and Broadcast Journalism.
Lisa has strong ties to the University of Alabama through her daughters: Lauren, a 2019 graduate and Lindsey, a junior. Lisa lives in Hoover and is active in the community, enjoying hiking, boating, and attending various SEC sporting events throughout the region. A former collegiate tennis player, she is involved in leagues and tournaments throughout the state.
Harry Leckemby
Indoor Event Manager
Expertise: Event Operations &
Marketing
Harry brings 30 years of experience in the sports and hospitality industry with established relationships in the sports and tourism industries. His background in sports was developed by serving as Manager, Corporate Marketing and Consumer Products for USA Hockey, Regional Event Director for Triple Crown Sports, Hockey Operations Manager for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics Organizing Committee, Special Events Sales Manager for Hidden Valley Resort, and Event Coordinator for Resort Sports.
Harry has also held the following positions within the tourism and hospitality industry: Director of Sports & Athletic Sales for BookMyGroup, and Sports Sales Manager for various Hilton and Radisson properties. His passion is helping develop young business professionals in the sports business industry. Harry serves on the Advisory board for the Sport Management Program at Robert Morris University.
Harry earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Sport Management from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh.
Born and raised in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Harry is loyal to his Pittsburgh sports teams. Since relocating to Birmingham in 2013, Harry is involved in the local community by serving on a committee for the Southern Amateur Hockey Association and Eucharist Minister at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Harry is happily married and enjoys spending time with his son and daughter.
Will Mayhall
Outdoor Event Manager
Expertise: Sport Management & Account Development
Will brings an extensive amount of experience in sports, account development and youth sports development to the HMC team. He has over 15 years of experience in both the youth and professional sports industry, as well as in account development. He has established relationships around the southeastern sports community, having served as a Sports Coordinator for YMCA associations across the Southeast. In addition, Will has also held positions as a youth sports coach and official, as well as being a college sports broadcaster
Will graduated from Auburn University and UAB.
Born and raised in Alabama, Will is loyal to anything involving the Auburn Tigers as well as the Atlanta Braves and New Orleans Saints. When he is not cheering on his favorite teams, he enjoys spending time at the gym, coaching, and hanging out with his wife and two kids.
Hoover Met Stadium – Event Management
Michael Pepper
Event Manager
Expertise: Event Management
Michael Pepper was born and raised in rural Mississippi and graduated from Mississippi State University. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Fitness Management and a Master’s degree in Sports Administration. Michael’s journey in the sports business has taken him from various positions in minor league baseball to his current role with the Hoover Met Complex.
Michael has been with the City of Hoover for five years and enjoys overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Hoover Met as well as planning and coordinating all the events that are booked at the Finley Center.
Michael and his wife, Hailey, have two daughters and live in nearby Vestavia. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf, hunting, and being outdoors.
James Young
Event Manager
Expertise: Event Management
James has been with the City of Hoover for five years. His role with the City is overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Hoover Met Stadium. Prior to joining the City of Hoover, he was on staff with the Birmingham Barons for 13 seasons. During his time with the Barons, he served in multiple roles that included stadium and baseball event operations.
James is a graduate of Ohio University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management and Communications. He and his wife, Julia, live in Birmingham with their daughter. When he is not at the Met, he can be found on softball fields coaching and cheering on his daughter’s team.
HOOVER MET COMPLEX SUPPORT STAFF
The Hoover Met Complex would be impossible to run without the help of our outstanding staff members. From the people who greet you as you walk through our doors, to the facility staff who keep the fields and courts in excellent condition, our management and support staff work together as a dream team. The Hoover Met Complex staff is comprised of a family of dedicated, passionate people who work together to make the Hoover Met Complex the most outstanding sports facility in central Alabama.
