Management professional with 25 years of leadership and sales experience. Proven track-record for introducing new processes and verticals to surpass revenue goals while keeping in mind company objectives and staff growth opportunities. Personally responsible for $100M+ in contracted revenue.

Experience

CohnCollab - Founder & CEO; 2020-Present

Boutique sponsorship sales and consulting agency that works with a variety of partners including the American Cornhole Organization, Knights Esports, Pro Football Network and Sean Casey. 

Highlights:

  • Led the negotiations on a significant partnership between eBay and Knights Esports

  • Built a fully integrated partnership between Kia, the American Cornhole Organization and Field of Dreams Movie Site

  • Created of a variety of new sponsorships with Pro Football Network including CrossCountry Mortgage, Firstleaf, XLMedia and Zenni Optical

SRS Partners - SVP of Brand Partnerships; 2024-Present

Supporting properties, brands, and rightsholders, SRS Partners exists to help our clients understand and optimize their sponsorship platforms. Consisting of three verticals, we provide expert services in the areas of Sponsorship Rights + Strategy, Sponsorship Revenue + Sales, and Sponsorship Representation Services.

Highlights:

  • Secured multiple partnerships with the American Association of Professional Baseball

Hat Trick Advisors - Partner & Vice President of Business Development; 2020-2024

Advisory firm that helps connect sports and entertainment properties with brands such as Chuck E. Cheese, CONEXPO-CON/AGG, World Armwrestling League and Yoop.

Highlights:

  • Fostered a nationwide sponsorship between PPG and Chuck E. Cheese

  • Built a partnership between Omaha Steaks and CONEXPO-CON/AGG

  • Partnered with Endeavor Analytics to create a go-to-market strategy for the World Armwrestling League

 

Xcite Interactive - Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing; 2019-2020

Direct oversight of all revenue generation from interactive and production elements sold to sports leagues, teams, entertainment venues and sponsors. Also responsible for all organizational marketing efforts including, but not limited to, digital advertising, social media, interviews and press releases.  

Highlights:

  • Broke quarterly revenue records three out of four quarters

    • Personally fostered new partnerships with the NFL, the SEC and US Soccer

    • Built new agency partnerships in Great Britain and Japan, while rightsizing an existing agency relationship in Australia

  • Oversaw a full company rebrand in January 2020

Pittsburgh Pirates - Vice President, Corporate Sponsorship Sales & Service; 2012-2019

Responsible for the oversight of all revenue generation relating to the Pirates’ Intellectual Property, sponsorship and media assets. Included managing a team of nine sales and service employees.

Highlights:

  • 57% increase in department revenue from 2013-2016

    • Multiple record-breaking years

    • Personally secured an 8-year / $46.9M partnership with Highmark Health, the largest AAV deal in Pirates’ history

    • Led the negotiations with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) on a 15-year naming rights partnership for LECOM Park, formally McKechnie Field

    • Rightsized key categories that exceeded revenue generated by competitors in the region

Tampa Bay Rays – Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships; 2003-2012

Responsible for the day-to-day management of four salespeople and a service team of five staff members.

Highlights:

  • Effectively increased, and exceeded, annual revenue goals

    • 100% revenue growth from 2004-2012

    • Consistently surpassed departmental goals

  • Personally responsible for more than $5M in 2012 revenue

    • Significant partnerships included: Chevrolet, FDOT, GEICO, MetroPCS, MillerCoors, Moffitt Cancer Center, Stanley Black & Decker and Sweetbay Supermarket

  • Supervision of the Rays’ relationships with national rep firms

 

Palace Sports & Entertainment – Corporate Marketing Manager; 2002-2003

Developed fully integrated partnerships for the St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa Bay Lightning and Tampa Bay Storm.

Highlights:

  • Responsible for $1.1 million in new business during the 2002-2003 season

Education

Ohio University, College of Communication

Bachelor of Science in Communications, with corollaries in Journalism and Interpersonal Communications.

Highlights:

  • Graduated Cum Laude

  • Program Director for WOUB 1340-AM’s alternative music program

 

Activities, Awards & Honors

Volunteer Coach, Youth Baseball and Basketball; 2009-2024

Commissioner, IFPLL 13-14 Baseball Division; 2020-2022

Board Member, National Parkinson Foundation of Western Pennsylvania; 2014-2016

Graduate, Leadership Pittsburgh XXXI; 2014

Recipient, Pittsburgh Business Times Fast Tracker Award; 2014

Board Member, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast; 2011-2012

Board Member, Hillsborough Community College Foundation; 2011-2012

Member, Moffitt Cancer Center’s Pinellas Partners Steering Committee; 2009-2012

President, Children’s Dream Fund 1st Team; 2011

Chair, Tampa Bay Rays United Way Employee Campaign; 2011

Chair, Children’s Dream Fund Summer Fundraiser; 2008-2011

Graduate, Leadership Tampa; 2010

Founding Member, Children’s Dream Fund 1st Team; 2008-2010

“Aaron has helped us drive new sponsorship revenue while introducing the ACO to a wide variety of blue-chip brands. We've enjoyed our partnership and look forward to expanding our relationship for years to come.”

Frank Geers - Owner, American Cornhole Organization