Legends Appoints Tom Funk as President, Hospitality
Accomplished Industry Innovator Funk to Join Legends in New Role on February 1
Longtime Legends Hospitality Leader Dan Smith to Transition to Senior Advisor
Legends announced today the appointment of accomplished industry innovator Tom Funk as President, Hospitality for the global premium experiences company. Funk will commence his new role on February 1, 2024, overseeing the company’s hospitality businesses. Funk has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry building and leading high-performing teams focused on innovation and growth.
Legends’ longtime President of Hospitality, Dan Smith, will move into a new role as a Senior Advisor for the business. Smith was the first employee at Legends and has stewarded the hospitality business over the past 15 years working with some of the most iconic sports, entertainment, and attractions brands worldwide.
“The incredible growth and success of Legends’ hospitality business is attributed to Dan’s leadership and guidance since day one. We are grateful for his immeasurable contributions over the past 15 years,” said Shervin Mirhashemi, CEO, Legends. “As we continue to focus on growing the business and delivering first-class hospitality experiences for our partners, we are fortunate to have Tom take the reins and lead this next phase. Tom’s stellar reputation as an innovator and operator and his experience growing global platforms ensures he is the right leader for the future.”
“I am thrilled and humbled to be joining the incredibly talented team at Legends. I have been very fortunate in my career to work with many of the best in the hospitality and sports & entertainment industry, Dan Smith and the entire Legends organization sit firmly in that group. They have built an amazing business poised for growth,” said Funk. “Food & beverage and merchandise play a critical role in delivering an exceptional fan and guest experience, and we have a significant responsibility to represent our partners’ brands in the best way possible. I’m excited to continue to evolve and grow our capabilities to ensure we do this, while also providing innovative concepts and solutions that will deliver great outcomes for our partners.”
“For 15 years I have loved coming to work every day at Legends to stand alongside the most talented people in the business and have the pleasure of seeing them develop and deliver innovative and exciting culinary and merchandise experiences for our partners,” said Smith. “I am excited for Tom to inherit this incredible team and our roster of world-class partners and lead them to new heights. I look forward to wearing a new hat and supporting Legends’ continued growth.”
Legends’ food & beverage business works with world-class clients around the globe and includes venue concessions, premium clubs and suites, and catering; restaurants, private membership clubs, and food hall operations; and private events catering. The company’s fully integrated retail and merchandising vertical solution spans e-commerce, in-venue retail, large-scale live events, brick-and-mortar store operations, licensing, and customer merchandise.
Funk brings extensive experience in the hospitality industry to his new role at Legends, having operated within every venue type and held leadership roles with Levy, Aramark, and Delaware North. He joins Legends from Compass Group, where since 2021 he has been Executive Vice President, Compass One Healthcare, Compass Group’s largest sector. Previously he spent nearly a decade at Levy, including six years serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the global hospitality business. Before his time at Levy, he rose through the ranks at Aramark culminating in serving as General Manager for Citi Field. Funk started his career in hospitality at Delaware North.