BUFFALO, N.Y. — Both the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres are seeing changes in the front office once again.
On Tuesday, each team jointly announced that Pete Guelli has been hired as the Chief Operating Officer of both organizations.
In a corresponding move, Josh Dziurlikowski, who was serving as the interim COO of the Bills, has been named as the Bills' senior vice president of finance and business operations.
Rob Minter, who was the interim COO of the Sabres, has been named senior vice president of business operations of the Sabres.
“I’d first like to thank Josh and Rob for their outstanding work and leadership as interim COO’s,” said Terry Pegula. “It was a challenging transition and period for each of them and we are fortunate to be able to retain them in other leadership roles within each organization.”
Guelli comes from the New York Giants, where he served as the team's Chief Business Officer for five years.
Before his stint with the Giants, he worked for Charlotte Hornets as their EVP, Chief Marketing and Sales officer before becoming the Chief Business Officer.
“His work in helping turn around the Charlotte Hornets franchise in the NBA was remarkable. He is a proven leader with tremendous skills and experience in the sports business landscape. With the upcoming changes on the way in both team’s venues, we are happy to have Pete to help lead our teams,” said Pegula.
Guelli is originally from Rochester and a graduate of Aquinas High School and SUNY Brockport. He has previously worked for the Bills as their Senior Vice President of Business Ventures from 1998-2009.
He and his wife, Patty, have two sons, Gunner and Grayson. He is scheduled to begin with the team in mid-April.
“I just want to thank Terry and the Pegula family for this incredible opportunity,” Guelli said. “I know the importance of these franchises to the market and understand the responsibility that comes with this role. I am looking forward to getting to work and becoming part of the community again.”