OVG Names Mobile Arena Leaders

Oak View Group (OVG), which has partnered with the City of Mobile and Live Nation on the Mobile Arena, has announced that Erik Hudson has been named general manager of the new Mobile Arena, overseeing all venue operations, event programming, staff development, partnerships and community engagement. Hudson joins the company with relevant experience across live entertainment, venue management and sports, including guiding major new-construction openings and advancing regional tourism initiatives. In Mobile, he is to also play a key role in OVG’s broader venue strategy, working closely with Mobile Convention Center and the Saenger Theatre Mobile (locations for which OVG oversees operations) to strengthen coordination and elevate the city’s event landscape. Additionally, Willie J. Williams has been appointed assistant general manager. Williams will support daily operations, pre-opening planning, staffing and project coordination. Williams brings more than 40 years of experience in venue operations, project oversight and large-scale event support across major sports and entertainment facilities. His background includes leadership roles at OVG Tulsa, where he oversaw daily operations for the BOK Center and convention center complex, event-conversion leadership at Philips Arena in Atlanta and key managerial roles at the Pensacola Civic Center.