Laura Alexander Promoted to Vice President of Rupp Arena, Central Bank Center, Lexington Opera House, and the OVG Concert Series at Gatton Park; Melanie Granado Named General Manager of Caney Pines Convention Center
Oak View Group (OVG), the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, today announced two key leadership appointments across its growing venue management portfolio. Laura Alexander has been promoted to Vice President of Rupp Arena, Central Bank Center, Lexington Opera House and the OVG Concert Series at Gatton Park in Lexington, Kentucky, and Melanie Granado has been appointed General Manager of the newly named Caney Pines Convention Center in New Caney, Texas.
Both appointments represent historic milestones for their respective properties. Alexander will become the first woman to serve as the top executive overseeing Rupp Arena and Central Bank Center, following Tom Minter, William Owens and Brian Sipe. Granado is the first general manager, and first woman, to lead the Caney Pines Convention Center, the 210,070-square-foot facility scheduled to open in December. The convention center will be the third largest in the Houston area and the seventh largest in Texas.
“Laura and Melanie are both accomplished leaders who have demonstrated an exceptional ability to build strong teams, drive operational excellence and create meaningful opportunities for the communities they serve,” said Greg O’Dell, President of Venue Management, Oak View Group. “As our portfolio continues to grow, investing in experienced, collaborative leadership is essential to the success of our venues and our partners. It’s exciting to see their hard work and dedication recognized through these important opportunities, and we look forward to the impact their leadership will have on their respective venues.”
Alexander, who is currently serving as Assistant General Manager, will oversee all venue operations across the Lexington venue portfolio, including event management, sales and marketing, facility operations, guest experience, financial performance and booking activity, as well as national touring acts at Gatton Park on the Town Branch. Her appointment is effective October 3, 2026.
Since arriving in Lexington in 2022, Alexander has played a significant role in establishing the operational framework for the transformed convention center and helping position the venue campus as Kentucky’s premier destination for conventions, entertainment, sporting events and community gatherings. Working closely with clients, community stakeholders, tourism partners and the Lexington Center Corporation Board, she has helped guide the venues through a period of significant growth in convention business, entertainment programming, client satisfaction and community engagement. Under her leadership, the venue campus has hosted hundreds of events, earned industry recognition and further strengthened Lexington’s reputation as a destination for meetings, conventions and live entertainment.
Prior to joining Oak View Group in Lexington, Alexander built an accomplished career in venue management in Owensboro, Kentucky, where she developed extensive experience in convention center operations, event management and community engagement. Her proven track record of leadership and operational excellence led to her recruitment to Lexington.
Granado will oversee day-to-day operations at the Caney Pines Convention Center, including scheduling, operations, finance, advertising, sponsorship and hospitality. An experienced convention center executive, Granado is relocating to New Caney from the OVG-managed Hilliard Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she most recently served as Assistant General Manager. She previously held leadership roles as OVG Hospitality General Manager and Vice President of Convention Center Sales & Operations. Her appointment is effective immediately.
During her time at Hilliard Center, Granado led the hospitality team in creating the Community Incubator Program, an initiative designed to create opportunities and support for local businesses and entrepreneurs. Prior to joining Oak View Group, Granado served as Sales Manager for Visit Corpus Christi and Director of Sales at Ortiz Center.
