Donald A. Smiley

Donald Smiley became Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.’s (MWF) Chief Executive Officer in June of 2004.  MWF was founded in 1968 and now operates Summerfest, “The World’s Largest Music Festival,” as well as a variety of cultural and ethnic festivals, concerts, and other special events.

In his time with MWF, the organization invested over $160 million in Henry Maier Festival Park, significantly enhancing the festival experience for millions of festival patrons. Under his leadership, Summerfest has hosted a variety of music’s superstars, including the Rolling Stones, Prince, Tom Petty, Bruno Mars, Luke Bryan, Lady GaGa, Usher, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Imagine Dragons, Shawn Mendes, The Weekend, J. Cole, and hundreds more. 
Don is a seasoned veteran of the entertainment and marketing industry. He is the former president of the Florida Marlins Baseball Club, and he helped lead the team to a World Series victory in 1997. Don began his career with the Marlins at the team’s inception and held positions in the Sales Department and as Vice President of Marketing.  Don also served as the Chairman of Pro Player Stadium, where he was responsible for event management during the 1995 NFL Super Bowl, 1997 National League Championship Series and the 1997 World Series, professional football and baseball games, concerts, and other events.
Additionally, Don was involved with Blockbuster Entertainment Corp. from its inception. While at Blockbuster, Don served as an assistant to the Chairman of the Board, H. Wayne Huizenga, and worked with the Franchising, Real Estate, Merchandising, Operations and Marketing Departments. He led several of the company’s early marketing and branding programs and helped grow Blockbuster into a position of world leadership in the video rental and entertainment industry.
Don has also successfully served as Executive Director of the Honda Classic Golf Tournament, one of the top events on the PGA tour in South Florida, and as Vice President of Marketing for Huizenga Holdings. 

In his current role, Don served as a voting member for the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio in 2011.  Serving the Milwaukee community, Don formerly led the Southeastern Wisconsin Professional Baseball District, home to American Family Field and the Milwaukee Brewers, as Chairman of the Board for 10 years.  He is also a member of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, a private sector civic organization whose mission is to contribute to the cultural and economic base of the Milwaukee Metropolitan area. 
Don grew up in Racine, Wisconsin and is a graduate of St. Catherine’s High School. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Sarah Smith Pancheri 

President

She is a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and currently serves as the chair elect of VISIT Milwaukee and is a member of the Marketing Committee of Travel Wisconsin / WI Department of Tourism. Sarah was named a Woman of Influence by the Milwaukee Business Journal in 2018 and is also involved with several civic endeavors including the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts and TEMPO Milwaukee. Sarah lives with her family in Pewaukee, WI.

About American Family Insurance Amphitheater

Located in downtown Milwaukee, WI on the lakefront, with incredible views of the city skyline, the American Family Insurance Amphitheater provides an unparalleled live music experience. The American Family Insurance Amphitheater has hosted legendary artists such as The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Kenny Chesney, Dave Mathews Band, Metallica, Whitney Houston, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and Pearl Jam. The venue recently completed a $51.3 million-dollar renovation, transforming the premier music venue into a world-class music experience for both fans and performers. It features enhanced production capabilities, reimagined food and beverage options, increased accessibility, new hospitality and amenities, new seating bowl configuration with improved sightlines, expanded concourses, and more. For details, visit AmFamAmp.com, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram at @AmFamAmp