The former director of marketing at the DCU Center has been appointed general manager of the Worcester facility, succeeding Sandy Dunn, who retired in January after 30 years leading the downtown arena and convention center.
The former director of marketing at the DCU Center has been appointed general manager of the Worcester facility, succeeding Sandy Dunn, who retired in January after 30 years leading the downtown arena and convention center.Amy Peterson brings more than 25 years of experience in venue management, public-sector leadership, and community engagement. Most recently, she served as chief of staff for the executive office of the city manager for the City of Worcester, working closely with city officials and community stakeholders on large-scale events and public programming, according to a Wednesday press release from the DCU Center.She will take over her new role leading the 14,000-seat arena and 85,520-square-foot convention space in the first week of February.Before joining the City of Worcester, Peterson spent nine years as director of marketing at the DCU Center, where she managed event marketing, brand management, public relations, and media strategy."The DCU Center has long stood not simply as a building but as a gallery of memories, a symbol of hope, halls of laughter, and a museum of firsts," Peterson said in the press release. "I look forward to continuing that tradition alongside the talented team here, our partners, and the community."Sandy Dunn. PHOTO COURTESY OF DCU CENTERPeterson’s appointment comes after Dunn and Assistant General Manager Jim Moughan both announced their retirements as DCU’s long-time leaders in October. Dunn, who started as a receptionist in 1983 and became general manager in 1995, guided the venue through four decades of name changes and helped establish it as a regional entertainment destination. The facility is undertaking various upgrades, including a new sound system installed in July.As general manager, Peterson will oversee the strategic direction and day-to-day management of the DCU Center, including financial performance, staff development, client relations, and the growth of concerts, sporting events, conventions, and family entertainment. She will manage all aspects of operations, booking, sales, marketing, and guest experience.The venue had 514,174 in annual attendance in 2024, according to data compiled by the WBJ Research Department.The DCU Center is run by the City of Worcester and Legends Global (formerly ASM Global), which has managed the DCU Center since before its official opening in 1982. The firm was purchased by Legends Hospitality in August 2024, after the deal was announced in November 2023. The company’s contract to run the City-owned venue was extended for 10 years last October."We are thrilled for Amy to return to the DCU Center, as she is a proven, exceptional leader with deep industry knowledge and a strong commitment to delivering world-class experiences," Dave Jolette, senior vice president for Legends Global, said in the press release. "Her operational expertise, collaborative approach, and passion for community engagement make her the ideal choice to lead the DCU Center into its next chapter."Peterson is a graduate of Worcester State University and member of the WSU board of trustees. She won WBJ’s 40 Under Forty award in 2016."When I first joined the DCU Center as the director of marketing back in 2008, I could never have imagined that I would return years later as the general manager," Peterson said. "It has been a privilege to serve the City of Worcester for the last eight years, but I am exhilarated to return home to the DCU Center and help usher in a new generation of clients and fans while building upon the success that has been established over the last four decades."Brad Kane is editor of the Worcester Business Journal.
