HOOVER MET COMPLEX TEAM
The Hoover Met Complex team is dedicated to making your experience great. Learn more about what it means to be a part of the team HERE!
Executive Leadership
SHANNON EALY
General Manager
A career sports executive, Shannon James Ealy possesses 25 years of experience in sports administration. Diverse experience in leadership, day-to-day operations, revenue generation, fiscal management, external affairs, internal operations, facilities management, and event operations are his hallmarks. Ealy formed Outsource Sports Management, a sports marketing and event management company, after the national pandemic to assist sports, entertainment, and tourism organizations with outsourcing services expertise due to the significant elimination of positions and rising personnel costs.
Ealy served as the director of athletics and recreation at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and served as a member of the university’s leadership team. Under his direction, competitive success improved for both men’s and women’s sports and the overall grade point average improved for student athletes. In addition, the department completed its first facility master plan, oversaw completion of a $15 million expansion to the recreation center, hired three head coaches, and increased department revenues.
For eight years, Ealy held leadership positions within the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) athletics department and led day-to-day operations, oversaw a $30 million annual operating budget, managed external and internal administrative units, and supervised the sports of football, men’s basketball, softball, and baseball. He successfully served as interim director of athletics during a controversial and tumultuous time in program history and provided leadership, stability, and confidence after the university eliminated football, bowling and rifle. Under his direction, Ealy assisted with getting all three sports programs reinstated within six months.
Prior to joining UAB Athletics, Ealy served the Bruno Event Team as vice president of the Alabama Sports Foundation, where he led all efforts to produce large-scale sporting events such as the SEC Baseball Tournament, SEC Gymnastics Championship, Magic City Classic, SWAC Football Championship, US Olympic Marathon Trials, US Soccer Matches, Pro Beach Volleyball, and the Brett Favre Celebrity Softball Game. Concurrently, he provided consulting services to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex to assist with the planning, programming, and support for a downtown Birmingham stadium, entertainment district and lodging accommodations as president of Birmingham Sports Ventures.
Ealy started his career in Birmingham with the Southeastern Conference where he was responsible for ticket sales and operations, marketing, and event operations for conference championships. Prior to the SEC Office, he was a marketing assistant with the University of Florida athletic department.
Ealy obtained his master’s in sports administration and facility management from Ohio University. He earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and was a football student-athlete.
Ealy has three children – Alyssa, Brian and Caitlin.
finance
Warren Harris
Finance Manager
Warren joined the team in May 2023.
Human Resources
Morgan Gilkerson
Human Resources Coordinator
Morgan graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management. She now continues to live in the Birmingham area close to her home roots in Pelham, AL. In October 2023, Morgan joined the Hoover Met Complex as their HR Coordinator. She works in Recruitment and Onboarding, Training and Development, Employee Engagement, HR Compliance, and Manages Employee Records.
Sales, Sponsorship & Marketing
LISA FEHR
Sponsorship & Event Sales Manager
Lisa brings an extensive amount of experience in sports, including corporate sponsorships, management, guest engagement, and marketing to the Hoover Met Complex team. She spent the majority of her career with the NBA’s Orlando Magic in a variety of sales management and leadership positions. Her role expanded to include the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation and a team from the (IHL) International Hockey League/Solar Bears, and (WNBA) Women’s National Basketball Association/Miracle. As part of the launch team, Lisa helped bring women’s pro basketball and minor league hockey to Central Florida.
Lisa earned her Bachelor of Science from Troy University, double majoring in Public Relations/Advertising and Broadcast Journalism.
Lisa has strong ties to the University of Alabama through her daughters: Lauren, a 2019 graduate and Lindsey, a junior. Lisa lives in Hoover and is active in the community, enjoying hiking, boating, and attending various SEC sporting events throughout the region. A former collegiate tennis player, she is involved in leagues and tournaments throughout the state.
ANNIE tweedy
Community & Public Relations Coordinator
Annie joined the Hoover Met Complex team in July 2022. Before coming aboard, she worked in marketing and events management in the Birmingham area. Annie works on community engagement, marketing, and various projects with the Hoover Met Complex staff.
Annie graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelor’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing. Since then, she has returned to her home roots of Hoover, AL. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, baking, and going to the movies!
Facilities Management
TUCKER RAINEY
Facility Operations Manager
Tucker became a part of the Hoover Met Complex team as our Facility Operations Manager in November 2020. The previous three years he served as a Recreation Leader for Montgomery (AL) County Parks and Recreation. His experience also includes event management, campus recreation, and youth sports programming. His role at the Hoover Met Complex is to lead a strong operations team to provide our patrons and clients with the best experience the Hoover Met has to offer.
Tucker earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Auburn University in 2014 and earned his Master of Science in Sports and Fitness Management in 2016 from Troy University.
Tucker lives in Calera, AL and enjoys working out, playing golf, camping, and going to Smith Lake. His loyalty also lies with anything Auburn and cheering on the Tigers any time he can. Tucker is happily married and the two have a lab named Ace.
ANDREW LINDVALL
Facility Operations Coordinator
Andrew joined the Hoover Met staff in March 2021 as part-time facility operations shift lead while he finished his schooling at Samford. He quickly learned that he enjoyed his job and loved making people happy by working behind the scenes. Working in sports was one of Andrew’s goals in college, and he is happy that he landed this job at the Hoover Met Complex.
Andrew received a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration and a minor in Data Analytics at Samford University in 2022.
Andrew lives in Irondale, AL, with his wife, whom he recently married in June of 2022. He enjoys playing basketball, swimming, hiking, and family time. He also is a die-hard Philly sports fan and spends his Sundays watching the Eagles.
Dane Toppel
Facility Operations Coordinator
Dane joined the Hoover Met team is August of 2023. He spent the last 7 years working in the Golf industry. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management from Eastern Illinois University. Dane lives in Hoover and is excited to explore all that Alabama has to offer. He is a huge Chicago sports fan and loves the Cubs.
Food & Beverage
Terry Mcdaniel
Food & Beverage Manager
Terry McDaniel joined the Hoover Met Complex in August 2023. Terry was previously the general manager at a local restaurant chain. When he isn’t working, Terry enjoys watching Alabama football and the Braves, enjoying quality time with family. He is a graduate of Hueytown High School class of 2002.
JOSH SPRAGGINS
Food & Beverage Coordinator
Josh Spraggins joined the Hoover Met Complex team in October 2023. Joshua Spraggins hails from Columbus, Mississippi, but his roots extend to the sunny shores of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, where he spent his formative years. A fervent sports enthusiast, Joshua's heart belongs to both basketball and football, with his allegiance firmly rooted in teams like Alabama and the Boston Celtics.
Beyond his sporting interests, Josh's professional journey has predominantly been in the food industry, honing his skills and developing a deep passion for serving people.
Event Management
AMBER FORTNER
RV and Events Coordinator
Amber joined the Hoover Met staff in July of 2021 as a part-time guest services member and shift lead. She spent most of her career in the eye care industry, and always knew she loved working with patients. She quickly learned that working in hospitality was her passion, and is excited for this new journey with the Hoover Met Complex.
Amber attended Auburn University where she studied Health Promotion and Business.
Amber lives in Hoover with her husband, David, and 2 daughters, Abby and Mackenzie. She enjoys watching SEC sports, especially, the Auburn Tigers. She loves spending time with her family and friends, reading, and making time for her two pets, Bella (dog) and Sam (cat).
chrissy smith
Events Coordinator
Chrissy Smith joined the Hoover Met Complex team in April 2022 as a Guest Services Team Member. Prior to her current position, she worked in customer services at Alabama Power Company for over five years. For the past year, she has been a Administrative Assistant for her husband's family business, J Smith Hoops.
Chrissy is a graduate of the University of Alabama, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences with a minor in Consumer Science.
Chrissy is from Birmingham, AL, but has called Hoover home for over 15 years. She enjoys spending quality time with her family, DIY projects, crafting and all things television.
Tennis Center
KELSI WILSON
Tennis Center Coordinator
Kelsi Wilson joined the Hoover Met Complex team in October 2022 as the Tennis Center Coordinator. Prior to her current position, she worked at Indian Hills Country Club as an Assistant Tennis professional.
Kelsi is a graduate of Auburn University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations after transferring from Wallace State Community College where she played tennis. During her time at Auburn, she worked as an Operations Supervisor at the Recreation and Wellness Center and the Sports Plex.
Kelsi is from Tuscaloosa, AL, and in her free time she enjoys playing tennis, spending time with family and friends, and going on hikes with her dog!
CLIMBING CENTER
adrienne fike
Climbing Center Coordinator
Adrienne Fike joined the Hoover Met Team in September of 2023 as the Climbing Wall Coordinator for Hoover Heights. Since 2014, Adrienne has worked in Higher Education Campus Recreation managing Outdoor Recreation programs in Kentucky, North Carolina and Florida. Her areas of expertise included; climbing walls, challenge courses, waterfront facilities, adventure trips, gear rental programs and even a Wake Boat.
HOOVER MET COMPLEX SUPPORT STAFF
The Hoover Met Complex would be impossible to run without the help of our outstanding staff members. From the people who greet you as you walk through our doors, to the facility staff who keep the fields and courts in excellent condition, our management and support staff work together as a dream team. The Hoover Met Complex staff is comprised of a family of dedicated, passionate people who work together to make the Hoover Met Complex the most outstanding sports facility in central Alabama.