Craig Benzel, a 26-year member of the Packers' sales and marketing team, is in his 11th year as the Packers' vice president of sales and business development.
Benzel, who was promoted to the position on May 12, 2014, oversees sales and business development, premium seating, ticketing, the Packers Hall of Fame, Lambeau Field stadium tours, stadium services, broadcast business operations and shareholder services.
In nine of the last 11 years, Benzel and the sales and business development teams led the organization to record local revenues. He also oversaw the launch of a Milwaukee sales office, major renovations to the Lambeau Field suites and club areas and the addition of the Johnsonville Tailgate Village and cellular DAS building. Additionally, he helped steer a concourse renovation that has significantly improved the Lambeau Field food and beverage experience with new "grab and go" concession stands, while also adding temperature-controlled fan gathering spaces in the US Cellular Loft and Miller Lite Endzone Bar. He also directed the restructuring of the Packers' media sales, service and operations, bringing those areas in-house to provide more exclusive Packers content to fans and better serve team partners, while significantly growing the organization's digital and social sales opportunities. Additionally, Benzel and the ticketing team transitioned Lambeau Field to a mobile ticketing environment that offers fans added security and greater flexibility.
Prior to his current role, Benzel had served the previous 12 years as director of marketing and corporate sales, a position in which he expanded the team's partnerships and added innovative new inventory in premium seating, among other accomplishments.
"Craig is a valuable member of our senior staff," Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy said. "His experience with the organization has served him well in his expanded role, particularly with our business partners, who are key to the success of the organization. Craig has shown great growth in his position as a vice president and will play an increasing role in the leadership of the organization."
Prior to joining the Packers in 1998, the 60-year-old Benzel served as vice president of marketing for the Milwaukee Wave for six years (1993-98), managing all aspects of revenue generation, including corporate sponsorships, tickets, promotions, and television and radio programming. Before his tenure with the Wave, Benzel worked in sports marketing for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (1991-93).
A longtime Wisconsin resident, Benzel was born in Hot Springs, S.D., before moving to the state. He earned his bachelor's degree in economics and business management from Ripon College and his MBA from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. In the community, he serves as president on the board for Packers Heritage, Inc. and was a charter board member in the creation of the Anxiety Disorders Foundation, now part of the Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation. Benzel's family includes his wife, Jodi, and children Kaylee, 27, and Max, 23. He and his wife reside in Pulaski, Wis.
