Minnesota Sports & Entertainment (MSE) in St. Paul, whose family of companies includes the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Minnesota Wild, American Hockey League’s (AHL) Iowa Wild, and management of Xcel Energy Center and Saint Paul RiverCentre, announced today promotions of three key organizational leaders.
Steve Weinreich has been promoted to senior vice president and general counsel of legal services and risk management for the organization. In his role as top legal executive, Weinreich represents the company on all legal matters and provides strategic counsel to ownership, executives, and the board of directors. He has successfully led the negotiation and execution of many minority ownership transactions, broadcasting agreements, sponsorship and player contracts, and now assumes risk management, hockey immigration, and legal services.
“Steve has made an immeasurable impact on our organization since he joined us in 2010 as our first in-house general counsel,” says Minnesota Sports & Entertainment Chief Financial Officer Jeff Pellegrom in a prepared statement. “He has built a talented team that continues to successfully navigate our many complex transactions, negotiations, and legal matters while greatly expanding his responsibilities. As an adept legal counselor and leader, he is very deserving of this senior-level position.”
Weinreich has 27 years of legal experience, formerly serving as vice president and general counsel of the NHL’s former Phoenix Coyotes and Gila River Arena (now Desert Diamond Arena) in Glendale, Arizona, for seven years.
Kelly McGrath has been promoted to vice president and general manager of Xcel Energy Center, home of the Minnesota Wild and more than 150 live events annually. Named general manager and executive director in July of last year, McGrath’s efforts made an immediate impact in attracting and securing the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championship, the Professional Women’s Hockey League, and the sold-out 2024 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four in addition to a robust concert lineup. She has developed and strengthened key partnerships throughout the industry and is a member of the executive leadership team that will develop a renovation proposal for Xcel Energy Center. McGrath has quickly demonstrated skillful leadership of a team of over 1,300 that plans, promotes, and executes events for 1.7 million guests each year.
“Kelly has already made meaningful strides across the industry and here at home in the venues we manage,” remarks Minnesota Sports & Entertainment Senior Vice President of Facilities Jim Ibister. “This promotion represents her outstanding performance as a trusted and innovative leader with a genuine commitment to service and teamwork.”
McGrath was named a 2023 VenuesNow Women of Live honoree, a 2020 VenuesNow Women of Influence honoree, and the 2019 Women in Sports and Events Twin Cities Woman of Inspiration. She joined MSE in 2000 as the Minnesota Wild director of sales.
Kate Setley has been promoted to vice president and general manager of Saint Paul RiverCentre, the capital city’s 230,000-square-foot convention center, which includes The Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium.
Setley joined MSE in 2000 and was promoted from marketing and event manager roles to director of sales and marketing for Saint Paul RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium in 2007. In 2010, she added director of event management for Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul RiverCentre, and Roy Wilkins Auditorium to her responsibilities. In 2022, Setley was named general manager and executive director of Saint Paul RiverCentre.
“In her first year as general manager, Kate’s team again received the award for highest quality from our board, which I believe is a testament to her strength and effectiveness as a leader,” says Visit Saint Paul President and CEO Jaimee Lucke Hendrikson, leader of the organization that oversees Saint Paul RiverCentre on behalf of the City of Saint Paul. “Her collaborative approach and passion for incredible service sets us apart and positions us well for future growth.”
Along with her team, Setley is credited with developing an admired RiverCentre brand and a reputation for crafting exceptional guest experiences. Additionally, she is an integral leader in sustainability within MSE, promoting and implementing programs that resulted in the entire downtown campus becoming the first in the world to earn three environmental certifications (LEED, Green Globes, and Event Industry Council). She is a key driver of MSE’s Service First program, where all staff learn to position service and culture at the center of their work.
“Kate has been an originator of some of the most formative qualities of our organization, and she lives and breathes them daily,” says Ibister. “We are fortunate to have her leadership and integrity at RiverCentre’s helm and in our organization.”
