March 21, 2012

ATLANTA - Nearly a month after Collegiate Consulting officially announced its new ticketing partnership with Missouri State University, the Atlanta-based consulting firm and University have selected Tom Ladd as the general manager of ticket sales and service for the MSU athletics property.

"We are thrilled to have someone with Tom's experience and local knowledge join the Missouri State and Collegiate Consulting team," stated Collegiate Consulting Managing Director Russell Wright. "Tom has a vast amount of experience in both sales and working with the Missouri State athletic program."

Ladd enters his new position after spending over 20 years in the radio broadcasting business. He began his broadcast career in Farmington as a sports director and play-by-play announcer. His on-air play-by-play personality earned him several awards including Missouri's Best Play-by-Play Announcer in 1993 and 1994. He later served as operations manager, sales manager and station manager for Meyer Communications in Springfield and spent more than a decade (1995-2007) as the radio voice of the MSU Lady Bears.

Ladd also spent time with the Springfield Cardinals as sales manager, helping the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals average over capacity at Hammons Field every season under his direction.

"Tom's reputation and experience in this community will be invaluable to Missouri State," said MSU Director of Athletics Kyle Moats. "He is a hard-working professional, and our fans are familiar with him, so we look forward to having him as a part of our team."

Ladd, whose duties officially begin this week, is originally from Marine, Ill. He attended McKendree College and Maryville University. He and his wife of 29 years, Sharon, have two children, Holly and Skyler.