The Utah Jazz announced today the appointment of Steven Smith, a nine-year veteran of Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment in guest experience, team security and public safety, to the position of Senior Vice President of Team Security in basketball operations, effective July 1.
“Through the years, Steven has demonstrated outstanding skills in executing security plans and programs to provide a safe environment for our players, fans and employees at our offices, facilities and events,” said Jim Olson, president of the Utah Jazz and LHM Sports & Entertainment. “Steven is a trusted colleague for our players and respected leader who brings tremendous experience and acumen to our senior management team.”
Smith has been the vice president of team security for the Jazz and managed their personal protection team since 2015. He added to his duties in 2017 as the vice president of public safety and guest experience for the 18,306-seat Vivint Smart Home Arena and Smith’s Ballpark, home of Salt Lake’s Triple-A baseball team.
Smith is a graduate of the Executive Protection Institute and the Oglebay Venue Management School. He was integral in Vivint Smart Home Arena being recognized as one of the top NBA venues for security in 2017. He originally joined LHM Sports & Entertainment in 2011 as the security and risk manager for Miller Motorsports Park.
A native of Los Angeles, Smith relocated to Salt Lake City after accepting a scholarship to play football at the University of Utah, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2004. Earlier this year, Smith was selected as a Utah Business Forty Under 40 recipient for his professional leadership.