Jeff Ianello
Sr. Director - Sales & Development  - Phoenix Suns

A Port Chester, New York native, Ianello graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 2002…started in Inside Sales with New Orleans, he is entering his sixth season with the Suns…part of the illustrious "Million Dollar Club", producing over $1 million in Suns new business revenue during to the 2005-2006 sales campaign…under his three years of leadership, the Inside Sales team generated over $5.5 Million in new business revenue.  In his first year as Director, the Season Sales Team surpassed all of its three property goals.  Ianello was recently named, in the Sports Business Journal, as one of the top industry professionals when it comes to sales training.

Nick Forro
Manager – New Business Development - Phoenix Suns

Ohio native, graduated from Youngstown State University in 2005. Has experienced accelerated career growth,....Started career in Phoenix on Inside Sales...established as top producer and sales leader,....as an Sr. Account Executive was responsible in generating over $1/2 million dollars in new business revenue. Under his first two years of leadership, the New Business Team has produced over $3.5 million in Suns new business revenue….Nick is currently responsible for recruiting, hiring and training all new Sales Consultants.

Ryan Holmstedt
Manager, Inside Sales for the Arizona Diamondbacks

Ryan Holmstedt is in his second year with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ryan has recently taken on a new role with the Diamondbacks and now manages the Inside Sales Staff. His current duties include the recruitment, training, and day to day management of the Diamondbacks entry level sales staff.  Ryan started with the Diamondbacks in the fall of 2007 as a Sr. Account Executive and Team Lead. In that role his primary focus was to generate revenue through season ticket sales. In his first season with the Diamondbacks he was part of a sales team that broke franchise records in overall ticket revenue. In addition to his selling efforts, his other responsibilities included leading the overall development and training of a team of five Season Ticket Account Executives.

Ryan started his career as part of the Phoenix Suns Inside Sales program. Shortly after completing that program he was promoted within the organization to focus on the franchise’s minor league hockey team, the Phoenix Roadrunners.  From there he was quickly promoted to a Sr. Account Executive prior to leaving to be part of the Arizona Diamondbacks inaugural sales team.

A native of Oregon, he now calls Arizona home after his graduation from Arizona State University. He graduated in 2005 with a degree in Marketing from the W.P. Carey School of Business and is married to wife, Kirsten.

Jason Howard
Director, Season Ticket Sales and Inside Sales for the Arizona Diamondbacks

Jason Howard is heading into his third season with the Arizona Diamondbacks.  As Director of Season Ticket Sales and Inside Sales, his duties include the direct management of the Season Ticket Sales department as well as overseeing the recruitment, training, and management of the Diamondbacks entry level Sales Consultants.  After his help in creating the D-backs inaugural Inside Sales department in November of 2007, Jason was part of the leadership team that led the Ticket Sales and Service department to an organizational sales record in 2008.  Additionally, 32 of the 39 Sales Consultants in his first two IS classes have been promoted into senior sales and service positions throughout the professional sports industry.

Prior to being recruited to create and manage the first Inside Sales department for the Diamondbacks, Jason spent his initial years in the sports industry with Pacers Sports & Entertainment.  It was there that he began his career as an Inside Sales representative before being promoted to a Season Ticket Account Executive and eventually the Manager of Inside Sales for the Pacers prior to his departure.

Originally from Ohio, Jason earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Cedarville University in 2004 where he was a member of the CU basketball team.  He now resides in North Phoenix with his wife, Mandi. 

Paul Epstein
Inside Sales Manager – LA Clippers

 As Inside Sales Manager, Epstein is responsible for the recruitment, daily training, motivation, and supervision of ticket sales and service efforts for the Los Angeles Clippers Inside Sales Department.  His sales team has set all time organizational revenue records during the 2009-10 NBA season, which has led to a record number of promotions and career advancement opportunities for his reps into senior level sales positions.  

After graduating from the University of Southern California, Epstein began his career in sports as an Inside Sales Executive for the Los Angeles Clippers in January 2006.  Within five months he was promoted internally to the position of Account Executive.  Epstein also has experience in corporate hospitality sales, providing VIP client entertainment facilities at major sporting events such as the Super Bowl, Final Four, and Masters.

Bryan Ross
Director of Ticket Sales – New Orleans Hornets

Bryan earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and his Masters Degree in Sport Management from Robert Morris University.  Began his career with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in January 2004 as a Season Ticket Account Executive.  In September of ’05 was promoted to Season Ticket Sales Manager.   In December of ’06 was promoted to Director of Season Ticket Sales managing both the Season AE & Inside Sales teams.  Joined the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets in August ’07 as Director of Sales Development and shortly thereafter named Director of Ticket Sales with responsibilities including management of Season Ticket, Group Ticket & Inside Sales groups.