ASM Global — the world’s No.1 development and full-service venue company — has promoted 19-year State Farm Stadium veteran Melissa Wasson to general manager of the storied Glendale, Arizona, facility.
Wasson has served the past 13 years as the assistant GM at State Farm Stadium where she led the ASM Global stadium management team in overseeing the day-to-day and event operations for the 63,400 seat, 1.7 million square-foot home of the Arizona Cardinals.
Since joining the stadium staff before its official opening in 2006, Wasson has been an integral part in the planning and successful execution of over 2,100 events that have taken place at the stadium and attended by over 20 million fans. Her track record includes three Super Bowls (2008, 2015 and 2023), the NFL Pro Bowl, two NCAA Men’s Final Fours (2017 and 2024), the CFP College Football Championship Game, the annual Fiesta Bowl, dozens of major concerts, international soccer events, motorsports, and many other events and activities of all types and sizes.
Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority Board Chair Kim Grace Sabow said, “Melissa Wasson is a wonderful selection, and we look forward to continuing our close collaboration with her. Melissa has played an essential role in the long-running success of State Farm Stadium and will work to uphold the stadium’s reputation as a world-class facility.”
“We are fortunate to have someone of Melissa’s talent to lead our team at State Farm Stadium,” said Doug Thornton, executive vice president, ASM Global. “Her decades of in-depth experience will prove invaluable as she continues creating unparalleled memorable experiences that thrill locals and visitors. We are confident there is no one more qualified or better positioned to take the helm at this Arizona treasure.”
Wasson’s knowledge and expertise are recognized throughout the industry where she assisted the NFL during nine Super Bowls and is an active member of the Stadium Managers Association, sitting on their Women in Leadership Deliver and Guest Services committees, and she represents State Farm Stadium on the NFL Employee Experience committee.
“I grew up in Glendale and was privileged to be part of the construction and opening of State Farm Stadium in 2006,” said Wasson. “It has been a thrill to experience every event in the building’s history, and being selected to lead our incredible facility team is the honor of a lifetime. As a native of the St. Louis area, I am a lifelong Cardinals fan and look forward to continuing to work with our valued partner.”
Wasson is a CPA and is a San Diego State University alumni. Prior to joining State Farm Stadium, she worked as a director of finance in manufacturing, a senior financial analyst at American Express, and a senior associate at Coopers and Lybrand.
