Dallas Stars President and CEO Jim Lites announced today that Texas Stars President and Alternate Governor Rick McLaughlin will be stepping down at the end of the 2016-17 season.
“We’d like to thank Rick for his many years of devoted service to the Dallas Stars organization,” said Lites. “Because of his leadership and vision, the Texas Stars have become one of the most successful organizations in the American Hockey League both on and off the ice. Rick has been in Cedar Park since day one and helped us with the huge undertaking of moving a team to a brand-new marketplace. His tireless efforts have established and grown the Dallas Stars brand in Central Texas.”
McLaughlin, who spent the last eight seasons in his role with Texas Stars, also serves as General Manager of Cedar Park Center. McLaughlin has led the Texas Stars business team over the last eight seasons and previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Dallas Stars, overseeing the start-up of the Texas Stars, as well as the design and construction of Cedar Park Center.
“One of the most rewarding and challenging facets of my sports career has been in establishing the Texas Stars AHL franchise and overseeing the design, development and management of the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park,” said McLaughlin. “I would like to thank my wife Monica, the numerous staff members I have worked with and the Dallas Stars organization for their support and confidence in me over the last eight years.”
Prior to working with the Dallas Stars, McLaughlin served as Executive Vice President of Business Operations for Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers. McLaughlin oversaw all areas of facilities, event and stadium operations, parking, security, concessions and merchandising for the team. He also managed the club’s business operations interest at the Rangers’ spring training facility in Surprise, Arizona.
McLaughlin was heavily involved in the design, development and construction of Hicks Holdings sports-entertainment complex in Frisco, Texas, and the Rangers’ Spring Training facility in Surprise. McLaughlin also was involved in a variety of other business operations for Hicks Sports Group after being appointed Executive Vice President for the company in August 2001. He joined the Dallas Stars in the summer of 1993 after the franchise’s move to Texas. In his position as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, from 1993-1999, he was responsible for the team’s finance, administration and business operations. McLaughlin was part of the 1999 Dallas Stars Stanley Cup executive management team, resulting in his name being engraved on the Stanley Cup.
From 1983-93, McLaughlin was Vice President of Finance of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Civic Arena Corporation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During his tenure, McLaughlin was part of the 1990 Stanley Cup Championship. He also served as Business Manager for the silver-medal winning USA team that participated in the 1991 Canada Cup.
An active participant in the Central Texas community, McLaughlin is the President of the Texas Stars Foundation. He also previously served as board member for the Cedar Park Tourism Advisory Board and the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce.
