User:Djorn Buchholz

Djorn Buchholz
Djorn Buchholz is the Chief Executive Officer of the 2011 NASL Champion NSC Minnesota Stars.

The Hastings, Nebraska native has held the C.E.O. position since December 2010. He manages all aspects of business for the professional soccer team including management of a staff of seven full time employees, creation of a marketing plan and advertising initiatives that resulted in the sale of four times the number of season tickets from the previous season and increased game attendance, development and execution of an event atmosphere around home games, ticket sales strategies, corporate sales and sponsorship. The NSC Minnesota Stars play their games at the National Sports Center located in Blaine, Minnesota. During the games, fans will find Buchholz walking about the stadium making sure every fan in attendance is enjoying the game. If you catch Buchholz at the right time during the game, he might buy you a beer from the beer garden that is positioned at the north end of the soccer field.

Prior to joining the NSC Minnesota Stars, Buchholz was the Chief Executive Officer of the Austin Aztex professional soccer team located in Austin, Texas from November 2009 to November 2010. During his time in Austin, Buchholz managed all aspects of business for the USSF Division 2 professional soccer team including the management of a staff of nine full time employees and operations budgets that reduced losses in this second year franchise by 38% or $550,000. He, also, assisted in the creation and organization of a youth soccer camp business that grew from 100 campers in 2009 to 600 campers in 2010 and managed the PR/Communications department.

Buchholz is no stranger to Minnesota pro soccer. Before heading south to Texas, Buchholz was the General Manager of the Minnesota Thunder from March 2005 to October 2009. While in the G.M. position, Buchholz operated a budget that was profitable in his first year. In addition, Buchholz wore many "hats" for the Thunder which included creation of team marketing and advertising initiatives, the management and direction of the advertising agency relationship, website maintenance, ticket sales strategies, corporate sales and sponsorship, league compliance and relations, travel arrangements, negotiation of season schedule, management and supervision of all game-day operations. Buchholz held the titles of Director of Marketing and Sales Manager from November 2003 to February 2005 before becoming General Manager.

Buchholz got his first experience working in professional soccer in Indianapolis, Indiana when he worked for the Indiana Blast soccer team as their Director of Operations/Media. Buchholz worked for the Blast from November 2001 to October 2003.

Buchholz' soccer experience is not just off the field. Buchholz has plenty of on-field experience. He was selected to All-State Shrine Soccer Bowl as a High School Senior and Played forward on NAIA Intercollegiate Soccer Team at Hastings College (Nebraska). Buchholz has coaching history, too. He was an assistant coach at Hastings (Nebraska) High School boys' team and Hastings College men's team.