Staff

Karl Schmitt, Executive Director

Karl Schmitt, a veteran sports executive and former senior vice president at Churchill Downs, was named named executive director effective January 1, 2010. He had served as interim executive director since July of 2009. Schmitt, who previously served on the commission's board, has nearly 30 years' experience in corporate and strategic communication, sports public relations, and business management. Under his sole proprietorship, K Schmitt Consulting, he served as executive director of The Cup Experience and a member of the Mayor's Host Committee for the 2008 Ryder Cup and was a senior advisor to Pallas Partners, a regional strategic advisory firm based in Louisville. From 1987 to 2006, Schmitt was a member of Churchill Downs Incorporated senior management team. He rose to senior vice president of corporate communications, and then president of two of Churchill's wholly owned companies. He joined CDI's development team and provided support for strategic planning and acquisitions, then later served as brand manager for the Kentucky Derby.  

From 1980 to 1987, Schmitt worked in public relations for the University of Miami Hurricane Athletic Department, serving as sports information director from 1983 to 1987. He gained event and PR experience with the Pan Am Games, the NCAA Final Four Basketball Championships, the Bowl Championship Series, the Master's Golf Tournament, the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, horse racing's Triple Crown and the Breeders' Cup Championship. He also helped design and execute the media operations plan for the 2000 Vice Presidential Debate at Centre College.

A former high school English teacher and coach, Schmitt earned an undergraduate degree in journalism, English and secondary education and four varsity letters in football from Morehead State University. He earned a master's degree in communications from Morehead while serving as a graduate assistant football coach and journalism instructor. He was a high school basketball referee in Eastern Kentucky and Miami, Fla., and worked two years as a junior college basketball official in South Florida. In addition to the Sports Commission board, Schmitt is a former member of the board of the Muhammad Ali Center, former chair of the Louisville Urban League Board and former treasurer and executive committee member of the Kentucky Derby Festival Board.

Greg Fante, Director of Sports Development

Fante has been a leader in the Louisville hospitality industry for more that 24 years. The last eight and half years he has served as National Sales Manager and Senior Sales Manager for the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau. His focus has been marketing Louisville as a prominent Sports and Sports Trade Show destination. Fante has been involved in numerous successes for the LCVB helping to prepare and assist with winning bids for sports organizations such as: PGA of America, TEAMS Sports Travel Trade Show and Conference, American Football Coaches Association, National Senior Games Association, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball, Ford Ironman Louisville, NCAA, NAIA, USA Volleyball, McDonald's All American Basketball Games, National Rifle Association, United States Tumbling and Trampoline, AAU baseball, AAU Track and Field, BCi Basketball, USA Gymnastics, Conference USA, and the Mid-South Conference.

He is a member of several local and national industry organizations including, the Louisville Hotel Sales Association (HAS), International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (IACVB), National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC), Kentucky Sports Authority TEAM Ky., and the Louisville Sports Commission bid development committee.

Greg is married to the former Jo Nalley of Bardstown, Ky. They have two children: Madison 13, and Calvin 11. They are active members at both Saint Mary Academy Catholic School and Mother of Good Counsel parish in Louisville, Ky.

Troy Killian, Director of Event Operations

Troy is a native of Salt Lake City, UT. He has an extensive athletics background, with over 6 years of experience in event management and operations. Troy has a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management from Mars Hill College and a Master's in Sports Administration from Canisius College. Troy worked for the Canisius Athletic Department as an assistant men's soccer coach, while also working for the Buffalo Blizzard Professional Soccer Team. After finishing his degree Troy moved to Orlando where he worked for a year as an Event Manager at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. After working the Danskin Triathlon at Disney, Fred Sommer and CFT Sommer Sports hired him as their Director of Operations, where he spent two years traveling the country managing triathlons. He continued his career in the triathlon industry when he obtained a job with St. Anthony's Triathlon in Tampa, FL.

Troy is married to former Kate Kirby of Bowling Green, KY. They have one handsome little boy: Camden Mont Killian along with two dogs: Kaya, a beautiful Golden Retriever, and River, a distinguished Doberman.

Julie Howell, Director of Fund Development

Julie Howell joined the staff of the Louisville Sports Commission as Director of Fund Development. In her new role, Julie's sole focus is on raising funds that will be used to increase the Louisville Sports Commission's ability to execute on our core mission: to attract sporting events that enhance economic development in Louisville. The three projects that will engage most of Julie's time from the outset will be managing the membership and corporate sponsorship campaigns and overseeing the 10 th Anniversary Celebration. Over time, Julie will provide the guidance and creative thinking that will enable us to develop additional revenue streams to provide the Louisville Sports Commission the resources necessary to further enhance the quality of life in our community through sports related activities.

Julie's background is in fundraising, administration and performance in the arts community. Prior to joining the Louisville Sports Commission staff, Julie was Development Director for the Louisville Ballet and Vice President, Partnerships for the Fund for the Arts. A native of Horse Cave, Kentucky, Julie started her career as an actor and box office manager at the Horse Cave Theatre and was later Managing Director of the Kentucky Repertory Theatre.

In her positions with the Ballet and the Fund for the Arts, Julie led the planning, implementation and execution of multi-million dollar capital and development campaigns; worked closely with the boards of directors in planning and strategizing annual goals; established excellent, on-going relationships with donors and community leaders; developed and implemented membership campaigns; and expanded young professional donor bases and awareness programs. Julie also has extensive experience planning and overseeing corporate events, dinners, black tie galas and sponsor activities.

A mother of twin eight-year-old boys, Julie is active in sports as a parent - at this point the boys both play on the same teams - and as a softball player.

Brooke Ballard, Executive Assistant & Office Manager

Brooke Ballard received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Morehead State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Prior to joining the Sports Commission, Ballard worked on the Special Events team at Churchill Downs, specializing in the Corporate Suite venues. She is currently completing her Master of Arts degree in Communication at Bellarmine University.

Ballard is a member of the Young Professionals Association of Louisville, the International Association of Administrative Professionals and a Delta Gamma Alumnae. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering with March of Dimes, the American Cancer Society and Habitat for Humanity.