Chairman & Co-Founder

Former World #1, US Open and Wimbledon Champion, Stan Smith is Chairman of Stan Smith Events, as well as a celebrity host for events. Stan’s worldwide fame extends to the fashion world with the legendary adidas Stan Smith shoe which has sold over 100 million pairs. Through his acclaim and relationships with athletes, corporations, celebrities, and influencers, each of our events are crafted to create memorable and impactful experiences for clients. As Chairman, Stan is involved in setting the philosophy and strategic vision of the company. Stan served as the President of the International Tennis Hall of Fame from 2011-2021 and is an active board member for the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island and the Heritage Classic Foundation. He and his wife, Margie, have four grown children and seventeen grandchildren.

President & Co-Founder

A former tennis professional and the co-founder and President of Stan Smith Events, Gary oversees the creation of our events in exceptional venues, cultivates partnerships with top hospitality and entertainment professionals, and stewards relationships with our clients across multiple business sectors. As president, Gary has helped lead SSE to become a premier global events and hospitality company utilizing celebrity hosts, exclusive access, and relationship building to create and manage experiences for clients that result in business growth. In addition to being an executive, speaker, athlete and coach, Gary helped develop and currently serves on the board of La Casa de mi Padre, a home for at-risk youth in El Salvador. Gary and his wife, Teresa, have three grown daughters.

Vice President of Client Services

Chris formerly worked at the American Junior Golf Association for 7 years prior to starting at Stan Smith Events in June 2014. While there, Chris honed his event management skills by directing premier national junior golf tournaments of the highest caliber. His position at Stan Smith Events gives him the opportunity to continue working amidst his passion, sporting events, whilst also getting to manage a great team of event managers. He loves traveling the world and interacting with new clients at some of the world’s finest venues. A graduate of York College of Pennsylvania, Chris lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Kelli, their two daughters, and family dog. When not onsite at events, Chris stays active by playing golf with his wife, and hanging out at the park as a family, with their dog!

Vice President of Client Development

Lily formerly worked at The World 50 Group and has spent her career managing peer-to-peer communities and creating experiences for C-Level, Fortune 500 executives. Lily is passionate about creating environments that foster meaningful connections and long-lasting relationships. In her role as Vice President of Client Development at Stan Smith Events, Lily is responsible for cultivating existing and building new client relationships. A graduate of Auburn University, Lily lives in Atlanta with her husband, Judson, and Golden Retriever, Ranger. In her free time, Lily enjoys traveling, cooking, gardening and playing pickleball with her family.

Director of Operations & Finance Manager

Emily began her career as the Business Manager at the non-profit group Christian Youth Theater in Fredericksburg, VA. There she realized how she could blend her degrees and her love for people. Emily moved to Atlanta in August of 2016 and quickly found a home at Stan Smith Events. Emily graduated summa cum laude with degrees in Math and Computer Science from Mars Hill University. Emily lives in Roswell, GA, with her husband of 22 years and 3 children. Having played soccer on the college level, she enjoys all sports, especially watching her kids play! Additionally, she loves being near the water and spending time with her family and friends.

Event Manager

With a background in event management, accounting, and human resources, Esther joined Stan Smith Events in April 2019. The opportunity to merge her love for event planning and live sporting events made for an easy decision to step into her role on the team. Her previous work in planning and executing large-scale conferences and stadium tour events has allowed her to fuel her passion for travel and to experience different cultures and communities both nationally and internationally. Esther grew up in Atlanta and attended The University of Georgia. She loves her hometown but is always looking for an excuse to use her passport and to explore a new city or country. When not at work or traveling, you will find her with friends or at a kids/juniors golf tournament cheering for one or all three of her nephews.

Event & Ticket Manager

After over 10 years working at On Location Experiences, Zack joined Stan Smith Events in January 2023. In the past 10 years, Zack has been involved in almost every major sporting event in the United States. His position at Stan Smith Events allows him to use his experience in hospitality, travel packages, and ticket management toward future Stan Smith Events programs. As a graduate of the University of Georgia, he is a big fan of football and the Atlanta Braves. Zack enjoys golfing and staying active with his wife Carrie in his free time.

Event Coordinator

Justin has spent the majority of his professional career as a consultant with Accenture and as a senior salesperson at various software companies. He jumped at the opportunity to join the Stan Smith Events team in 2023, combining his passion for serving others with his love for travel and sports. Justin graduated magna cum laude from Liberty University with degrees in Digital Marketing & Advertising and Professional Selling. Although he currently resides in Atlanta, he grew up in Chicago, where he played competitive golf and basketball. During his free time, Justin enjoys playing pickleball and hitting the links with his friends and family.

Executive Assistant & Office Administrator

Mary Morgan has spent her career working as an Executive Assistant and Office Manager, including project and social media management. Mary Morgan graduated from Georgia College & State University, and she and her husband, Philip, reside in Milton, GA. An avid sports fan, she grew up playing tennis and is particularly loyal to Alabama football and the Atlanta Falcons. Mary Morgan joined the SSE team in 2021, and when not in the office, she is usually surrounded by family and friends.

Event Manager

Wimbledon, US Open, and Partnership Events

Event Manager

Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, Rugby World Cup, Wimbledon, and Partnership Events

Event Manager

French Open

Event Manager

Australian Open