NASHVILLE, TN – Former Nashville Predators president Jack Diller and former Tennessee Titans president Jeff Diamond have joined The Ingram Group as senior consultants for the Nashville-based public affairs firm, officials announced today.
The pair will bring the Group more than 60 years of corporate experience in major league sports management and a drive to use that experience on behalf of sports industry, corporate and academic clients in Tennessee and across the nation.
“Their addition continues the Group’s long tradition of providing a platform for the industry’s best professionals to pursue their interests. Their presence brings our clients exceptional experience and guidance from proven leaders,” said David Jarrard, president of the Group.
Mr. Diller and Mr. Diamond's professional sports experience is complimented by other members of the group. Working out of the Mayor's office in Nashville, partner Peter Heidenreich was the project manager for the design and construction of the Gaylord Entertainment Center, home of the NHL's Nashville Predators. The Group also houses the Nashville office of HOK Sport+Venue+Event, the world’s leading architectural firm in the design, planning and renovation of public assembly facilities.
“Together we can pursue a whole new client base in the sports industry in Tennessee and across the country,” Mr. Heidenreich said. “It will be hard to match a team with this breadth and experience in the business of sport.”
Today the Group has a significant healthcare practice that serves hospitals and healthcare organizations across the country and a growing environmental solutions practice in addition to its traditional emphasis on state and local public affairs work. It also has a second office in Chattanooga that specializes in strategic planning as well as public and government relations throughout the region.
“There’s no better place where I can stay in the swirl of what is happening and use my experiences and contacts for clients and friends here and across the country,” said Mr. Diller, who retired from his post as president of the NHL franchise earlier this month.
Jeff Diamond has been working as a sports-industry consultant and commentator along with making numerous speaking appearances since leaving the Titans last year.
“So much of what I’ve learned through 28 years in sports management is applicable to businesses of almost any industry,” Mr. Diamond said.
“Everybody wants to be on a winning team, but not everybody knows how to build one or make it work. I believe I can help in this area. The Group will allow me to take full advantage of my experience, as well as serve as a launching pad for working with my friends in the sports industry.”
The two will begin their work at The Ingram Group this month.
Background
•Jack Diller’s professional sports career has spanned more than three decades and has included senior management positions with the National Hockey League, the National Basketball League and Major League Baseball. Along the way he has earned four championship rings. Most recently he was president of the Nashville Predators, becoming the first employee of the Nashville franchise in July 1997. He retired his position earlier this month. He will continue to serve the hockey team as president of the Nashville Predators Foundation.
•Jeff Diamond served as team president of the Tennessee Titans from 1999 to 2004. During his tenure with the team, the Titans had an NFL-best regular season record of 56-24, reached the playoffs four times in the five years and won the AFC Championship and played in Super Bowl XXXIV in the 1999 season. Prior to joining the Titans, Diamond spent 23 years with the Minnesota Vikings, rising to serve as team senior vice president. In 1999, The Sporting News named him the NFL's Executive of the Year.
•HOK Sport + Venue + Event designs today’s ballparks, stadiums, arenas and convention centers. The primary focus of the Nashville office, led by Russ Simons, is operations, evaluation and analysis of facilities all over the world. HOK S+V+E’s project experience in Nashville includes the Gaylord Entertainment Center, the Coliseum, and proposed new ballpark for The Nashville Sounds.
•The Ingram Group is a 23-year-old public affairs firm with offices in Nashville and Chattanooga. The firm’s professionals serve more than 60 clients in Tennessee and across the nation.