With a convention center expansion underway and growing momentum across its venues and public spaces, the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority introduces the leaders guiding what comes next.
When Adam Straight arrived in Omaha eight months ago as the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority’s new President and CEO, one of his first priorities was understanding the organization from the inside out — its history, its people and the work that has made MECA a cornerstone of Omaha’s civic and entertainment landscape.
What he found was a team already punching well above its weight. What he set out to build was a structure to match.
Now MECA is introducing and reintroducing the executive leadership team that will guide the organization through its next chapter — a moment defined by a voter-approved convention center expansion, a growing public space portfolio and an increasingly national profile driven by events like the Men’s College World Series.
“One thing became clear early on,” Straight said. “Our greatest strength is our people. This leadership team reflects that belief.”
A Structure Built for What’s Next
The announcements represent a combination of new roles, elevated titles and formal recognition of leaders whose contributions have long shaped MECA’s success behind the scenes.
Kristyna Engdahl returns to MECA as Chief Strategy Officer, a newly created role focused on brand awareness, community relationships and long-term strategic positioning. Engdahl previously served as MECA’s Vice President of Communications and brings valuable familiarity with the organization and Omaha’s civic landscape to an expanded scope that includes marketing, communications and strategic placement.
Claire Alt steps into the role of Vice President of People Services, reflecting an expanded focus on employee engagement, talent development, recruitment and organizational culture. Alt has long been a steadying presence within MECA’s internal operations. “At the center of any great organization is someone who genuinely cares for its people,” Straight said. “At MECA, that’s Claire Alt.”
Diane Mills continues as Chief Financial Officer, a role that has been central to MECA’s financial stability and long-term investment capacity. Some roles don’t need reinventing — they need celebrating. Mills’ stewardship of MECA’s finances has helped ensure that public investments translate into real returns for the organization and the city it serves. “Diane brings a deliberate mind and a steady hand to everything she does,” Straight said. “Her commitment to accountability makes her an invaluable part of this team.”
Kevin Raymond assumes the newly created title of Chief Operating Officer, an elevation from his previous role as Vice President of Operations and Technology that reflects the scope and significance of his work. Raymond oversees facility operations, event operations and technology across MECA’s venues — the behind-the-scenes infrastructure that makes every concert, sporting event, convention and community gathering possible.
Katie Bassett takes on the role of Vice President of Capital Projects and Development, bringing a track record spanning the early development of Charles Schwab Field and a central role in helping lead the transformation of downtown Omaha’s parks into The RiverFront. As MECA’s convention center expansion progresses toward a fall 2027 opening, Bassett’s ability to manage complex projects on time and on budget positions her as a critical leader in the organization’s next chapter.
Denise Niebrugge continues as Vice President of Convention Center Sales, a role she has held with distinction for nearly two decades. The relationships Niebrugge has cultivated over the years don’t just fill calendars — they helped make the case for the convention center expansion now underway. “There are people whose work you inherit when you step into a role, and then there are people whose work you’re grateful to stand on,” Straight said. “Denise is the latter. And that foundation is what makes everything ahead possible.”
Lisa Crum continues as Executive Assistant to the President and CEO, a role she has held for just over a decade. Crum’s institutional knowledge, steady presence and trusted counsel have made her a relied-upon resource across the organization and among MECA’s community partners. “Lisa is someone I trust completely,” Straight said. “She is steady, sharp and always one step ahead. Her perspective and advice carry real weight.”
Jaden Hill steps into the newly elevated role of Senior Director of Parks, overseeing operations and programming across The RiverFront, downtown Omaha’s 72-acre public space that has become one of the city’s most beloved destinations. Hill has spent years managing events and programming at The RiverFront, including the annual Fourth of July celebrations that have become a landmark moment on Omaha’s calendar.
Chris VanDorn, Vice President of Hospitality Strategy with Levy — MECA’s longtime concessions partner — rounds out the executive leadership team. VanDorn has spent more than two decades shaping the food, beverage and hospitality experiences at CHI Health Center Omaha and Charles Schwab Field, from event-day concessions to the plated experiences that define MECA’s convention center offerings. “Chris reminds all of us that hospitality is about more than what’s on the plate or in the cup,” Straight said. “It’s about how people feel. The trust she’s built over more than twenty years makes her an essential part of this team.”
Looking Ahead
In addition to the leadership announcements, MECA is exploring the addition of a Chief Commercial Officer — a new role that will oversee sales, booking, partnerships and convention sales while driving strategic revenue growth across the organization. The addition of this role reflects MECA’s commitment to strengthening its market presence and expanding the events and opportunities it brings to Omaha.
This team — and this moment — reflect a new era at MECA. Together, they will guide the organization through significant growth, anchored by the CHI Health Center convention center expansion, sustained by the continued success of Charles Schwab Field and the ongoing momentum of The RiverFront, driven by a shared belief in what Omaha is becoming.
“Getting to know this team has only reinforced what I believed when I arrived,” Straight said. “The talent, the commitment and the care for this community are what move an organization forward. This team reflects what MECA is — and what we intend to become.”