December 9, 2025 \u2013 Los Angeles-based\u00a0Shelli Herman and Associates<\/a>\u00a0has assisted in the recruitment of Adam J. Straight as the new president and CEO of the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA) in Omaha, NE. The decision to hire Mr. Straight follows an exhaustive nationwide search to replace the current MECA President and CEO, Roger Dixon, who is retiring at the end of the calendar year after 25 years in the role.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are thrilled to welcome Adam and his family to Omaha,\u201d said MECA chair Diane Duren. \u201cDuring the search process, we interviewed candidates from all over the country, and Adam rose to the top of our list because of his experience leading large-scale venues, managing public-private developments, and ushering along construction projects on time and on budget. We are confident Adam will pick up where Roger Dixon left off and continue to build on the solid foundation that has already been laid at MECA over the last 25 years.\u201d<\/p>\n In his seven years at the MCCNO, Mr. Straight managed a $73 million annual operating budget, achieved LEED Gold Certification and re-certification through comprehensive sustainability initiatives, led a $763 million Capital Improvement Plan, modernizing and renovating the interior and exterior of the Convention Center, and oversaw the planning and execution of the $1.5 billion River District Development, creating a mixed-use entertainment district adjacent to the MCCNO.<\/p>\n Before his time in New Orleans, Straight worked at the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) in Atlanta, which encompasses the Georgia World Congress Center, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Centennial Olympic Park, where he managed daily operations as senior director of operations. Under his leadership, Mr. Straight and his team oversaw multiple large events such as NCAA Final Fours, a Super Bowl, and the NCAA College Football Playoff Championship.<\/p>\n Also, while in Atlanta, Mr. Straight was tapped to be the executive in charge\/owners representative of Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a $1.9 billion construction project, along with heading up other prominent large-scale projects, including the Centennial Olympic Park renovation ($29 million) and the Exhibit Hall Expansion ($55 million).<\/p>\n In 2001, Mr. Straight\u2019s journey in the events venue industry began at the University of Maryland. Over the span of 10 years, Straight worked his way up to director of intercollegiate athletics facilities management, overseeing operations for 14 athletic venues, including Comcast Center and Byrd Stadium. Mr. Straight also managed the planning, construction, and opening of Maryland\u2019s $13.5 million football renovation.<\/p>\n Related:\u00a0Shelli Herman and Associates Fills Senior Position for Omaha\u2019s Henry Doorly\u00a0Zoo\u00a0& Aquarium<\/a><\/p>\n The Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority is a prominent organization that operates three outstanding venues, fostering regional growth and serving as hubs for innovation, collaboration, and community engagement in Omaha. Together, these three venues have welcomed over 32 million visitors and generated more than $2 billion in economic impact for the Omaha area. Building on a history of success, MECA\u2019s operations in fiscal year 2024 set new records across all properties and events. Since starting operations on August 25, 2000, under a long-term agreement with the City of Omaha to build and manage the CHI Health Center Omaha, the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA) has played a vital role in constructing and activating public event venues.<\/p>\n Proven Search Consultants <\/strong><\/p>\n Shelli Herman and Associates Inc. serves trailblazing clients across the corporate, non-profit, and higher education sectors. The firm\u2019s long roster of clients includes the Annenberg Foundation; the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation; BENlabs;\u00a0The Capital Group Companies\/American Funds Distributors; City Year, Los Angeles; the Fresno Chaffee Zoo; the Griffith Observatory Foundation; Jewish Family Service LA; Laguna College of Art and Design; Loyola Marymount University; Omaha\u2019s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium; P.S. ARTS; the Saint Louis Zoo; Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County; the University of California System; the Whitney Museum of American Art; and YWCA Greater Los Angeles.<\/p>\n![\"Lets](\"https:\/\/exitup.huntscanlonventures.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/HSV-ExitUp-7-25-Lets-Explore-Your-True-Value.jpg\")
<\/a>Mr. Straight most recently served as served as COO of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (MCCNO), the nation\u2019s sixth largest convention center, overseeing the Convention Center\u2019s day-to-day operations. His time in the Big Easy was defined by community partnership, pandemic response, sustainability efforts, and transformative capital projects.<\/p>\n
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