DJ Mackovets - Managing Director

There’s not much DJ Mackovets hasn’t done in his nearly 40 years of event marketing and operational planning experience. The Iowa native jumped into the event world as soon as he earned his degree from the University of Kansas and quickly worked his way up with each successive assignment. His early career was focused on media relations, sponsorship sales and promotions for two pro football teams, college athletics and the Peach Bowl. In recent years he has become an indispensable player with many of the most complex and demanding events in the world. Along with Christy Thomas, DJ formed THOMAS JAMES Events in Atlanta in early 1993 for his base of operations.

To list all of the professional, collegiate and amateur sporting events and special projects he has worked would fill pages. (See the About section for more details.) The most important takeaway from this bio is that DJ possesses all of the key leadership qualities required to plan and stage successful events. He listens and learns. He leads by example. He looks ahead and anticipates problems and potential solutions. He surrounds himself with the very best talent and lets the team do their job. Perhaps most importantly, DJ never loses his cool and stands behind his decisions.

Another key quality is that DJ checks his ego at the door. Keeping a level head is absolutely necessary when you hold major management and operations roles in Super Bowls, Olympic Games, NCAA Final Fours and other large-scale events with multiple stakeholders and hard deadlines. 

DJ approaches every client and project, regardless of size and scope, with the same attention to detail. He has learned from the best, and he pays it forward by attracting the best talent available to get the job done.

What has been his favorite event? He says each one has been special in their own way, but when prompted he points to the Bassmaster Classic. “It’s amazing to see tens of thousands of passionate fans gather just to watch boats leave shore and to see fish being weighed in. And they love it! It’s one big party.”