Meet the Team

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Doug Thornton, Co-Chair

Senior Vice President, SMG

Doug Thornton is a Senior Vice President for SMG, the management company that operates the Louisiana Superdome and the New Orleans Arena. In his current position, he currently oversees the operation of several SMG facilities in the Gulf Coast region.

Thornton began his career in the Oil and Gas industry and relocated to New Orleans in 1984. He worked for several Oil and Gas Exploration Companies, including the New Orleans based firm, Taylor Energy Company where he served as Vice President. He began his career in sports in 1988 when he and other community leaders created the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. He served as President of the organization from 1994 to 1997. Under Thornton's leadership the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation made the transition from a fledging organization to a dynamic force in the city's tourism and sports industry.

Since joining SMG in 1997, Thornton has played a key role in the development of the local sports and entertainment landscape. Here are a few of his accomplishments:

  • Led the efforts to attract, host and produce numerous major events including NCAA Final Four Championships, NFL Super Bowl games and the NBA All-Star game.
  • Successfully managed the opening of the New Orleans Arena in 1999 and generated an operating surplus of over $1.0 million in the first 3 years of operation.
  • Led the City's successful effort to relocate the New Orleans Hornets from Charlotte in 2002.
  • Managed facility operations for Super Bowl XXXVI and the 2003 NCAA Final Four, which were conducted under a post 9-11 National Security Special Event measures.
  • Led LSED 2009 lease negotiations with the New Orleans Saints, which resulted in a new long-term deal that will keep the team in New Orleans through 2025.
  • Has expanded the programming options, facility utilization and revenues at the Superdome and New Orleans Arena

Perhaps Thornton's greatest accomplishment came in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when he spearheaded the remarkable rebuilding of the Superdome. Viewed as the largest stadium reconstruction project in American history, Thornton oversaw a $197 renovation that led to the return of the Saints, inspired New Orleanians and helped revitalize the local economy. The recovery project was completed within one year and in time for the Dome to reopen to a national television audience on September 25, 2006.

Under Thornton's direction, the Superdome has continued move into the future, with additional improvements and features that make it competitive with newer stadiums recently constructed throughout the country. The effort has paid dividends as the Dome recently won bids to host the 2012 Men's Final Four and the 2013 Super Bowl.

Thornton is also actively involved in local tourism efforts, having recently co-chaired the Hospitality Strategic Task Force's development of a comprehensive Master Plan for the Tourism industry.

Thornton is actively engaged in the community, serving on numerous non-profit Boards:

  • Board of Directors of the Greater New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau.
  • Board of Directors, Langston Hughes Academy Charter School
  • Board of Directors, Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation
  • Board of Directors, Tipitina's Music Foundation

Thornton has received numerous honors and awards for his work in the industry, including the New Orleans Chamber “Vision of Excellence” Award and “New Orleanian of the Year” by Gambit Newspaper in 2002. He was named a Sports Business Journal “headliner” in 2006 and received the Dave Dixon Sports Leadership Award from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association in 2007. Thornton and the SMG Staff were presented a 2007 Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame Award for their efforts in the Superdome's recovery from Hurricane Katrina. The New Orleans Public Relations Society of America named Thornton and his wife, Denise, their 2008 “Hornblower Award” recipients. The New Orleans Chapter of the National Football Foundation presented Thornton its' “Distinguished American” Award in 2009.

Originally from Shreveport, LA, Thornton holds a BS degree in Business Administration from McNeese State University and a BS degree in Petroleum Land Management from the University of Houston. Thornton has received numerous honors and awards for his work in the industry, including the New Orleans Chamber “Vision of Excellence” Award and “New Orleanian of the Year” by Gambit Newspaper in 2002. He was named a Sports Business Journal “headliner” in 2006 and received the Dave Dixon Sports Leadership Award from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association in 2007. Thornton and the SMG Staff were presented a 2007 Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame Award for their efforts in the Superdome's recovery from Hurricane Katrina. The New Orleans Public Relations Society of America named Thornton and his wife, Denise, their 2008 “Hornblower Award” recipients. The New Orleans Chapter of the National Football Foundation presented Thornton its' “Distinguished American” Award in 2009.

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