Lance Gerlach-CEO

Bringing nearly 20 years of experience in collegiate athletics with a strong track record in business development, scaling operations, and driving enhanced revenue streams through innovative strategies and high-impact partnerships. His career spans both external and internal leadership roles where he consistently raised capital, accelerated business growth, and expanded revenue opportunities through strategic initiatives.

 

Lance began his collegiate athletics journey in 2005 with Learfield’s Buffalo Sports Properties, the multimedia rights partner for the University of Colorado Boulder, as a Senior Account Executive. He later became General Manager for Bulldog Sports Properties at California State University, Fresno, where he quickly established himself as a top performer, consistently exceeding sales targets and helping to scale the business unit in a competitive market.

 

Returning to Colorado, Lance rejoined Buffalo Sports Properties as Director of Sales and later served as General Manager. Under his leadership, the team achieved record-setting performance, was named Property of the Year in 2016–17, and he earned multiple Chairman’s Club honors. His focus on scaling sales infrastructure, cultivating key partnerships, and optimizing operations contributed significantly to the unit's long-term success.

 

In 2020, Lance transitioned to the internal side of athletics as Senior Associate Athletics Director and Chief Revenue Officer at the University of Colorado. Tasked with leading all non-athletic revenue efforts, he spearheaded the business development strategy for the newly renovated Champions Center. Highlights of his tenure include launching a three-day concert series in partnership with Live Nation featuring Dead & amp; Co., securing premium naming rights deals for key venues within Folsom Field, and forging a major naming rights agreement with
UC Health. These efforts unlocked new revenue channels and broadened CU’s corporate engagement portfolio.

       

Lance later assumed the role of Assistant Vice Chancellor for the Buff Club, leading the university’s athletic fundraising division while maintaining oversight of corporate partnerships and revenue development. In this dual-capacity role, he played a pivotal part in raising philanthropic capital, designing strategic donor programs, and strengthening the department’s
financial foundation.

 

A native of Central Nebraska, Lance has called Colorado home for over 22 years. He and his wife, Meghan, stay active with their three children—Lucas, Emery, and Lauren—who keep them busy year-round with sports, activities, and community involvement.