Sanford Center Brings In New Executive Director

A new executive director has been named for Bemidji’s Sanford Center.

Mike Kossow, new executive director at Sanford Center

Jeff Kossow, who has worked at event centers in the region, has started his new role Monday, Sept. 19, a Sanford Center spokesperson said.

VenuWorks, the management company for the Sanford Center, says Jeff Kossow has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. Kossow has worked at events centers in the region, including at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks and the Fargodome in Fargo, and most recently was at the University of Houston, where VenuWorks oversaw the university’s stadium, arena and theater.

Kossow replaces Mike Cronin, who resigned from his position after being asked to return to his former role as associate director of operations. Cronin held the leadership position since May.

Two weeks ago, the Sanford Center underwent restructuring and laid off three positions – event coordinator, food and beverage manager and director of guest experience. The decision on layoffs was credited to the labor at the facility was too heavy for the amount of business coming in.