On Wednesday, the Kansas City Chiefs announced the promotion of three individuals to vice president roles. Anthony Matthies has been promoted to Vice President of Premium Sales; Justin Sauser has been promoted to Vice President of Ticketing; and Luke Shanno has been promoted to Vice President of Corporate Communications.
"I'd like to congratulate Anthony, Justin and Luke on becoming part of our executive team," Chiefs President Mark Donovan said. "Each of them have played key roles in the success of our business operations over the last decade and to see them grow their careers within our building has been rewarding. In addition to these three, we had a number of staff members who earned promotions across the organization this year and I'd like to congratulate them as well. They've all earned this recognition, and we are looking forward to their continued hard work and efforts for Chiefs Kingdom in each of their respective areas."
Anthony Matthies is in his 14th season with the Kansas City Chiefs, splitting his tenure over two different stints with the club. He originally joined the Chiefs in December of 2008 as the Suite Sales Manager, responsible for the sales and promotion of the club's luxury suites, club seats and shared suite concepts as the organization prepared to open the renovated Arrowhead Stadium in 2010. He spent two seasons (2012-13) as the Manager of New Stadium Suite Sales with Legends Sales and Marketing for the San Francisco 49ers ahead of the opening of Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. He rejoined the Chiefs in 2014 as the Manager of Suite Sales and was promoted to Director of Suite Sales in February 2015, focusing on local and regional corporate prospects. In May 2018, Matthies added corporate partnership responsibilities, becoming the Director of Partnerships and Suite Sales for the Chiefs. Since May 2022 he has served as the Senior Director of Premium Sales, leading, developing and implementing sales and marketing business plans and strategies to deliver premium offerings and profitability opportunities for corporate partners and suite holders. Prior to joining the Chiefs, Matthies spent time in premium seats and sales roles with the Phoenix Coyotes of the NHL and at Cricket Pavilion in the Phoenix area after entering the sports industry with stops at Louisiana State University (1999-00) and Arizona State University (2000). He graduated with a degree in sport management from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, and earned his MBA from Park University in Parkville, Missouri. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Kansas and Missouri Chapter of JDRF. Anthony and his wife Jennifer have two children, Cecilia and Dominick.
Justin Sauser is in his 14th year with the Kansas City Chiefs after originally joining the team in 2011 as the club's Manager of Ticket Operations, handling the day-to-day needs of the ticket office and helping the organization transition to ticketless technology, eventually helping implement mobile ticketing in 2015. Sauser was promoted to Director of Ticket Operations in 2016 and held that role until being promoted to Senior Director of Ticket Sales and Operations in 2021. Sauser will continue to oversee Ticket Sales and Operations, including ticketing data and technology for all Chiefs games and Arrowhead Events. He remains responsible for the digitization of the club's ticket processes, utilizing innovative technology to create a seamless ticketing experience for Chiefs fans and all guests, as well as focusing on business growth and managing relationships with ticketing partners. Prior to joining the Chiefs, Sauser spent five years (2007-11) as the Ticket Manager at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. He graduated from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, with a bachelor's degree in health and sports studies, having worked for the University of Iowa's Athletic Ticket Office for four years as a student employee and student manager. He also completed a ticketing internship with the Iowa Cubs, the AAA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, in 2005. Justin and his wife Xochitl recently welcomed their first daughter, Zerlina.
Luke Shanno is in his 16th year with the Chiefs after originally joining the club as a Communications Seasonal Assistant in 2009. Shanno was promoted to his first full-time NFL position in Kansas City as the club's Communications Coordinator in 2011 before being named Corporate Communications Manager in 2014. He continued his climb in public relations, earning the title of Senior Director of Corporate Communications in 2021. Shanno's primary responsibilities include overseeing the club's communications efforts off the field, including all Arrowhead Events, stadium initiatives, international growth, as well as business development and marketing programs. Shanno works closely with leaders on the business side from multiple departments to help positively pitch and promote the Chiefs brand. In 2023, Shanno was nominated as a 'Most Wanted Honoree' by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City where he helped raise funds for the organization. Prior to joining the Chiefs, he served as a communications intern with the Green Bay Packers for training camp in 2008. The Council Bluffs, Iowa, native graduated from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, with a degree in communications. He spent four years as part of the Knights' Sports Information Department.
