FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS
Sens’ new COO takes over
Imagine that Thursday was your first official day serving as chief operating officer of the Ottawa Senators.
Perhaps you call a meeting to introduce yourself and how you intend to approach the position. Then, to get started, you ask a few questions around the room.
“So, is there anything out there that we need to deal with immediately?”
Maybe it didn’t play out exactly like that, but Thursday was indeed Nicolas Ruszkowski’s first day on the job, and you thought the people charged with fixing the federal government’s Phoenix pay system fiasco were in for a challenge.
Ruszkowski’s mandate, according to the May 31 media release that announced his hiring, “will be to strengthen the organization’s business operations,” with no role in hockey operations.
Without question, there was a pressing need.
The Senators’ front office has been razor thin since Tom Anselmi abruptly left as president and chief executive officer in January.
Anselmi had replaced Cyril Leeder, one of the founding fathers of the franchise, who had a solid foundation in the community and had built up goodwill with business leaders during his tenure. Leeder was fired by Senators owner Eugene Melnyk in January 2017.
After Anselmi’s departure, Melnyk has assumed the titles of president and CEO.
Given the tsunami of turmoil and negativity currently engulfing them, the Senators must find a way to repair burned bridges and rebuild trust within the community. So, Ruszkowski’s hands will be full.
While the Senators don’t publicly reveal season-ticket numbers, it’s expected the base will be in the range of 5,500-6,000 for the 2018-19 National Hockey League season. After the Senators advanced to the Stanley Cup final in 2007, they established a highwater season-ticket mark of 13,000 for 2007-08.
Getting back to that point could be impossible, but filling empty seats must be a priority.
It’s still unknown just how involved Ruszkowski will be in the LeBreton Flats arena project, which is fundamental to the future of the franchise.
Ruszkowski, who once worked as a consultant for Biovail, the pharmaceutical company founded by Melnyk, does have a feel for the city. He was born and raised in Ottawa and has communications degrees from the University of Ottawa and Université Saint Paul.
The bilingual Ruszkowski also comes into his new position with an extensive communications background.
He has served as vice-president of communications and outreach for The Ottawa Hospital and as director of communications for former federal Liberal leader Stéphane Dion.
Most recently, he served as executive vice-president for strategy and growth with MSL USA, a company that specializes in strategic communications and engagement.
He was also managing director of Publicis Consultants, once the second largest communications company in France, which has since merged with MSL.
Ruszkowski’s resumé also includes a stint as vice-president, senior partner and general manager of Fleishman Hillard, a public relations and marketing entity.