Staff

Robert Underwood

General Manager

Favorite Artist/Band: Dave Matthews Band
Favorite Food: "Anything prepared with love by other people."
Favorite Color: Green

Rob joined Wings Event Center in 2011 after serving as the Food and Beverage Director at the Radisson Plaza Hotel. After growing up in Traverse city, he attended the Culinary Institute of America, where he learned to make a mean Philly cheesesteak. He now has six children, and resides in Kalamazoo with his wife. He has a mad obsession with Dave Matthews Band, and if you don't believe it, ask him about his tattoo. Rob's favorite part of working at Wings is "bringing back quality entertainment to Kalamazoo."

Brad VandenBerg

Managing Director, Stadium Management Corporation
Vice President Business Development, Greenleaf Hospitality Group

Jessica Bray

Ticket Office Manager

Favorite Artist/Band: Twiztid and Ice Nine Kills
Favorite Food: Chicken and Broccoli
Favorite Color: Green

Jessica started her journey at Wings Event Center working in the Ticket Office and quickly was promoted to Manager during the 2021-22 Event Season. Prior to working at WEC, Jessica spent time living in Jamaica, and was also the Venue Manager at Escapology. A few fun facts about Jessica is that penguin from Batman is her favorite villain, and hockey is her favorite sport - A perfect fit as Wings Event Center is home to the Kalamazoo Wings!

Jeff Townsend

Operations Manager

Favorite Artist/Band: Toto
Favorite Food: Seafood
Favorite Color: Blue

Jeff has be an integral part of the Wings Event Center team for several years and took on the role as Operations Manager in January of 2022. Providing a safe & enjoyable place to attend events and to work at is what Jeff enjoys most about working at WEC. A fun fact about Jeff is that at one time he was a SCUBA Instructor and traveled the Caribbean/Bahamas.

Amanda Dolnik

Food & Beverage Manager

Favorite Artist/Band: Luke Bryan
Favorite Food: Chicken Tacos
Favorite Color: Pink & Glitter

Amanda joined the Wings Event Center team during the 22-23 season with a strong background in the hospitality industry. She enjoys working with the leadership team at the arena and loves that at the end of the day, everyone has the same goal - to make our guests' experience memorable. Amanda's positivity helps make even the most hectic event days fun for the team!

Alexis Conklin

Special Events Manager

Favorite Artist/Band: All the music! Really depends on my mood.
Favorite Food: Mangoes or any fruit
Favorite Color: Nature Green

Alexis, originally from a Chicago Suburb (Go Bears!), rounded off her college experience with internships at the Fiesta Bowl and Cactus Bowl in Arizona. Following that, she drove a truck and trailer around the US managing running events. She then spent three years at the City of Portage Parks Department before transitioning full-time to GHG. Kalamazoo has a special place in her heart because of the close proximity to lakes, and how easy it is to get outside and enjoy nature. Alexis is a great asset to our team at Wings Event Center!