Richard Andersen

With over 30 years of experience in professional sports, venues and hospitality management, Richard Andersen, CFE ICD.D currently serves as Principal of Lighthouse Management. Lighthouse is focused on "Illuminating Human Potential", delivering a variety of organizational training, teambuilding, performance evaluations, and facilitation services. In addition to offering proprietary Lighthouse branded programs, Mr. Andersen is partnered with industry training leaders including The Ken Blanchard Companies, Patrick Lencioni (The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team) and Wiley Publishing.

Andersen is a well-known motivational and keynote speaker, sought after for his experience and success in the areas of leadership, career and personal development, strategic planning and team building. His heart felt tales of his experience as an "Undercover Boss" have brought laughter and tears to a variety of audiences.

Prior to reestablishing Lighthouse, Andersen served as President and CEO of one of Canada's largest multi-purpose entertainment and meeting complexes, Northlands in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Preceding Northlands, he served as Executive Vice President of the San Diego Padres and General Manager of PETCO Park. Earlier in his career, Andersen served as President and CEO of Joe Robbie Stadium (now Sun Life Stadium) in Miami, Florida, home to the Miami Dolphins and Florida (now Miami) Marlins. He also served as a senior member of the Super Bowl XXIX Hosting Committee.

Prior to joining Joe Robbie Stadium, Andersen was Vice President of Administration and Operations for the Pittsburgh Pirates where he provided oversight for the club's facility operations including facility management for Three Rivers Stadium.

In addition to his work with professional franchises, Andersen has extensive experience working with community leadership in the development of NFL stadiums and MLB ballpark projects.

Andersen has served in a variety of senior roles for the International Association of Venue Managers including as Chair of the Board of Directors in 2012. He is an instructor at the IAVM's Venue Management School and Graduate Institute, Chair of its Board of Regents, and is on the faculty of the Graduate Institute of the Venue Management Association (Australia and Pacific).

Andersen holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh's Katz School of Business and an International Corporate Directors designation from the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto. He is a past member of the faculty of San Diego State University where he facilitated classes in the Sports MBA program.

Among other professional service honors and distinctions, Andersen was the 2003 recipient of the Gaslamp Quarter Association's Lamplighter Award for Business and Civic Leadership and in 2006 received the American Lung Association's Clean Air Award for his cutting edge environmental programs.

Andersen has served in many leadership roles and is recognized for his ability to develop successful collaborative relationships with both public and private sectors. Earlier in his career he was named Virginia Citizen of the Year and was also presented the Lee McPhail Award, given annually to Minor League Baseball's top business executive.