As the Moody Center for the Arts’ inaugural Deputy Director, Joel Thompson oversees the budget, building, operations, and administration of the Moody and works closely with the Executive Director to ensure the safe and efficient management of all aspects of the building and its programs. Thompson served as the Director of Ticket Operations at the University at Buffalo Center for the Arts from 2001 to 2016, where he oversaw all aspects of the financial management of revenues during a period of tremendous growth and served on the venue's programming committee responsible for booking over 50 live performances each year. His 25+ year career in the arts and live entertainment field also includes tenures at Ticketmaster and the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. Thompson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from the University at Buffalo and is an active member of that university's Houston-based alumni branch.