Our Team

Dave Beachnau, Executive Director

David Beachnau, Executive Director for the Detroit Metro Sports Commission (DMSC), has been with the commission since its inception in January 2001. Beachnau was instrumental in the research, development, and creation of the DMSC. In this senior management role, he is responsible for the commission’s day-to-day operation including bid development and hosting of regional, national and international sporting events in metropolitan Detroit. Dave oversaw the largest multi-sport event held annually for youth in the U.S., the AAU Junior Olympic Games. He was also instrumental in securing the 2007 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships and 2009 NCAA Division I Men’s Final Four.

Beachnau has many years of experience in marketing a destination to the sports event industry, including seven years as an account representative targeting event rights holders for the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCVB). Prior to joining the DMCVB in 1993, Beachnau worked in metro Detroit’s hospitality industry, most recently as Director of Sales of the Atheneum Suite Hotel. Beachnau began his hospitality career in 1986 when he joined the Airport Hilton Inn (now a Doubletree property) as Sales Manager. He has held various hotel sales management positions in metro Detroit and Lansing, Michigan.

A Lansing native, Beachnau now resides in Allen Park, with his wife, Edie, and children, Kimberly and Tyler. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Adrian College in Adrian, Mich. He also earned six varsity letters in basketball and baseball at Adrian.

Contact Dave: phone 313-202-1979, email dbeachnau@visitdetroit.com

Sean gomez , Event Services Manager

Sean Gomez previously worked with the Sports Commission in 2003 as an intern on the 2003 AAU Junior Olympic Games, Sean focusing on logistical support for over 17 venues and served as a secondary contact for event operations at Ford Field.

Following 2003 AAU Junior Olympic Games Sean returned to Northwood University to complete his Business degree in Entertainment, Sports, Promotions and Management.

Upon graduation, Sean worked at the Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee as the Operations Assistant. As the Operations Assistant for Super Bowl XL, Sean facilitated multiple committees ranging but not limited to Security, Transportation, Logistics, Site Management, Décor Program, etc. After the completion of Super Bowl XL, Sean was fortunate to diversify his work experience by managing varied operations on such events as the Golden Corral 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, 2006 & 2007 World Sailfish Championship in Key West, Lincoln’s Savoir the Dream – Gourmet Tailgate Experience Tour, the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration in Miami, the Detroit Metro Sports Commission’s own Big Day Prep Showdown & America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit.

Currently, as the Event Services Manager, Sean is responsible for assisting the bid process on numerous events as well as the organization of events once awarded to metro Detroit. Servicing these groups includes a wide variety of duties from securing volunteers and arranging transportation to obtaining equipment and assisting in venue setup.

Born in White Lake, Sean currently resides in Royal Oak.

Contact Sean: phone 313-202-1982, email sgomez@visitdetroit.com

Sean Krabach, senior manager, Event operations

Sean Krabach has a solid background in event management, public relations and communications, including more than ten years of experience in the sports event industry.

Now in his fifth year with the Detroit Metro Sports Commission (DMSC), Krabach was recently promoted to Senior Manager, Event Operations and will oversee the day-to-day event operations for the DMSC, including annual and one-off events.

Krabach will also serve on the Detroit Local Organizing Committee for the 2008 NCAA Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional and the 2009 NCAA Men’s Final Four, serving as the Vice President of Internal Operations. He will oversee various aspects of game and event management; building on the experience he gained working as floor operations manager for the 2007 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

He also served 18 months with the Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee where he worked on volunteer logistics and operations for Super Bowl XL. This endeavor resulted in the management of more than 8,000 volunteers at almost 50 locations throughout metro Detroit, including the management of almost 2,400 volunteers at the NFL Experience.

Krabach’s event resume also includes working on the 2006 MLB World Series, the 2005 Motown Winter Blast and the 2003 AAU Junior Olympic Games. He has also worked on various local and national AAU tournaments and with the DMSC’s annual Big Day Prep Showdown. Prior to joining the DMSC, Krabach worked for the International Hockey League where he not only oversaw the league’s communications duties, but he also assisted with the league’s annual All-Star Game and the Turner Cup Playoffs. His sports career started with the Port Huron Border Cats of the United Hockey League where he oversaw public relations duties for the inaugural UHL All-Star Game. For that effort, he was named the 1997-98 UHL Public Relations Director of the Year.

In addition to his sports background, Krabach has experience working for several Detroit area nonprofit's and associations, including the Michigan Metro Girl Scout Council, the Southeast Michigan Red Cross, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the National Truck Equipment Association.

Krabach graduated with a degree in Communications/Public Relations from Northern Michigan University. He and his wife, Amy, reside in Redford with their Golden Retriever, Paddington.

Contact Sean: phone 313-202-1974, email skrabach@visitdetroit.com

mattie crawford, event operations manager

Mattie Crawford joins the Detroit Metro Sports Commission as Event Operations Manager. Crawford’s primary responsibilities are with the 2008 AAU Junior Olympic Games. Her responsibilities include the implementation of merchandising at venues, hospitality and transportation of all staff, ticketing and credentials of participants and spectators, awards ceremonies, security, and medical.

Before graduating from Central Michigan University in 2006, Crawford held three different Sports Management intern positions at the AAU National Headquarters in Orlando, FL. Her internship experience includes the organization of the AAU Girls’ Junior National Volleyball Championships and the Boys’ Basketball National Championships at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, along with the Junior Olympic Games in Hampton Roads, VA.  Following graduation, Crawford assisted with the organization and management of Central Michigan University’s year round youth Gymnastics Camp.

Crawford earned a bachelor’s of applied arts degree in Sport Studies from Central Michigan University.  She was also a member of the CMU Gymnastics Team (2002-2006) which won two MAC Conference Championships.  Crawford was a four year starter on the CMU team and had three appearances at NCAA Regional Championships, finishing 3rd on vault in 2006.  Originally from Minnesota, Mattie now resides in Macomb, MI.

Contact Mattie: phone 313-202-1989, email mcrawford@visitdetroit.com

Yolanda Michaux,

manager, volunteer & registration services

Yolanda Michaux joins the Detroit Metro Sports Commission as Manager, Volunteer & Registration Services. Yolanda's primary responsibilities include planning and providing services for the recruitment, training and implementation of volunteers for the 2008 AAU Junior Olympic Games. Yolanda will also be responsible for the overall management of the online and on-site registration process for the athletes and coaches competing in the Games.

Yolanda comes to the Detroit Metro Sports Commission from the Bureau Services department at the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau (DMCVB) where her focus was membership services. Yolanda joined the DMCVB in October 1999 and has coordinated volunteers for major events and conventions since March 2003. She officially joined the Detroit Metro Sports Commission in January 2008.

A Detroit native, Yolanda now resides in Warren, Michigan. She is married to Glendon and they have one son, Andre.

Contact Yolanda: phone 313-202-1852, email volunteers@visitdetroit.com