Gary Heise

* Gary Heise owns Premier Sports Management.He studied journalism at Kansas State University and worked part-time for the athletic department writing press releases and arranging player interviews.After graduation he worked full-time for the university's Sports Information Department.A year later he was asked to become an assistant to the director of public and community relations for the Kansas City Chiefs.After five years, he moved up to director of the department.He held that job for two years.Then, in 1989 he started Premier Sports.

By 1995, Heise had six employees.Premier Sports earns its money through fees and a percentage of sponsorships and ticket sales.Says Heise, "We like to take a project from A to Z. Fortunately, because of the position I had with the Chiefs, I did make a lot of contacts not just in K.C., but across the country."(3)

Projects have included the rededication of the NCAA's Hall of Champions, the NFL's annual 101 Banquet, and the NFL traveling flag football tournament, Air-It-Out.