It’s a momentous week for Pittsburgh Penguins COO Travis Williams, who is celebrating the opening of a new hockey season and the organization’s Thieman Award at the Magic of Mentoring event. Starting his 10th season as a senior exec with the Penguins — where he oversees finance, legal, tech, business development and arena operations for our five-time Stanley Cup champs — Williams also assists CEO David Morehouse with the day-to-day management. A native of Indianapolis, he previously worked as a partner at Reed Smith LLP.
Three words to describe Pittsburgh?
Loyal, passionate, innovative, ethical, hardworking. Ok, I couldn’t keep it to three.
Best part of your job?
Honestly, it is making memories for fans and guests that come to our games and other events at PPG Paints Arena. There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing people, and especially kids, enjoying themselves in our arena.
Where will we find you this Saturday?
I am having dinner at the Urban Tap Room and then going to City Theatre to see “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynecological Oncology Unit at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center of New York City.”
Who is the last person you texted and what was it about?
My wife, my six kids and I have a group text. Two of them moved away this year — one to college in NYC and one to ballet school in Boston — so at some point every day, my wife makes all of us send around pictures of what we are doing at that moment. They are pretty entertaining.
Ideal date night in Pittsburgh?
I would grab dinner with my wife at one of our fabulous Pittsburgh restaurants like täkō or Meat and Potatoes, and then catch a musical by one of our talented Pittsburgh musical theatre companies.
What is an iconic Pittsburgh place that you’ve still never visited?
I’ve never ridden the incline. I need to make that happen.
If you could expand the T to one neighborhood, where would it go?
Oakland.
Favorite Pittsburgh athlete, living or dead?
Mario Lemieux, of course. In all seriousness, no one has done more for Pittsburgh both on and off the playing surface.
What upcoming events are you excited to attend?
This is an exciting week. We received our Stanley Cup Championship rings on Monday. Wednesday, October 4th is the Pens’ home opener game and we’re raising the Stanley Cup Championship banner into the rafters of PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins’ organization is being honored with the Thieman Award at the Magic of Mentoring event on Thursday, October 5th. And this weekend, I’m heading to Parents’ Weekend at St. John’s University, where my son is a freshman. There aren’t many weeks better than this!
In Pittsburgh, I can’t live without my … ?
GPS. I still have trouble figuring out which bridge or tunnel goes to which neighborhood.
What’s one thing you’d place in a Pittsburgh time capsule?
I’ve already done it. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you what’s in it or where it’s located. Sorry.
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