“I’m passionate. I’m a quick learner and whatever I dive into, I dive into headfirst at 110 percent. So I’m going to give you all I have.”
Jeffrey O’Brien | 27
Group events specialist, Lake Erie Monsters Hockey
jobrien@lakeeriemonsters.com
SELLING A MONSTER PRODUCT: Jeff O’Brien has always loved hockey, and now he’s selling that love to others in Lake Erie Monsters tickets. Currently in its third season, the minor league hockey team shares the stage with the Cavs at Quicken Loans Arena. And the sales team is a huge part of the Monsters’ “team behind the team.” Last year, its hard work helped the Monsters produce the highest-attended game in the American Hockey League with more than 17,000 fans.
FROM PUCKS TO TEES: He grew up with hockey, but O’Brien started playing golf around age 12. Since then, he’s gotten pretty good. O’Brien played for his college team at Loyola College in Maryland and competed against players that have since gone on to the PGA tour, such as Ryan Moore and Nick Watney. After college, he even spent six months working as an assistant golf professional.
FOLLOWING LOVE: Originally from West Hartford, Conn., O’Brien’s wife is to thank for his relocating here. They met during their last semester in college and spent almost five years in a long-distance relationship before O’Brien finally made the move to Cleveland.
Q & A
We talked to O’Brien about his sports hero, business inspiration and more.
IB What was your first impression of Cleveland?
JO A lot of people from the East have a preconceived notion about Cleveland and the Midwest in general. But I came out in May 2004, and I fell in love with the city. All my friends and family that have come here love it. It’s very similar to Connecticut. Small, quaint, cozy.
IB What’s your favorite sports team?
JO I am a diehard New York Rangers fan. My crowning sports moment was watching them win the Stanley Cup in 1994. I remember I was in the sixth grade, and hopefully I’ll get to see another Stanley Cup in New York in my lifetime.
IB Who do you admire the most in sports?
JO Mark Messier. He was a captain of the 1994 New York Rangers team. A lot of people argue that he was the best captain ever. He was always scoring the big goal, always taking the pressure off the team. He’s just a natural leader, on and off the ice. He was a consummate professional and just a true competitor, competing on every level.
IB Who do you admire the most in business?
JO Dan Gilbert. I obviously knew the name before I came and worked for the Monsters, but just seeing what Dan’s done with the Cavs, with Quicken Loans, with the Monsters. ... As our owner and ultimate boss, he embodies what success is.
IB What are your New Year’s resolutions?
JO A personal goal is to be the best husband I can be, and my goal working-wise is to continue to get better each day at my job and ultimately realize our goal to become the No. 1 sales team in American hockey. And I’m going to throw in a third goal, a golf goal because that is a big part of my life. My third goal is to qualify for a USGA event this year — either the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur or U.S. Mid-Amateur.
IB What’s your personal elevator pitch?
JO I’m passionate. I’m a quick-learner and whatever I dive into, I dive into headfirst at 110 percent. So I’m going to give you all I have for as long as I can do it.
IB What about the Monsters’ pitch?
JO It’s fan-friendly, it’s fast-paced, and the value is just unbelievable. Our biggest challenge is just getting people to experience the Monsters because once they come out for that first game, they’re hooked. I was hooked, and that’s why I’m here. This is an NHL-quality product at a minor league price, and people are starting to realize the value.