Stars owner Tom Gaglardi has been expanding his investments in Texas, and the Stars on Friday announced some changes in management that will not only help with that endeavor but also help the team transition to the future.

Jim Lites, who has served as president and CEO, will hand "president duties to Brad Alberts, who has had several different roles with the Stars since 1996, most recently as executive vice president, chief revenue officer. Alberts will report directly to Lites, who will continue to serve as CEO of the Stars and will also play a big role in Gaglardi's Vancouver-based Northland Properties Corporation, which is developing properties in and around Dallas, as well as in Cedar Park where the Stars' minor league franchise is located.

Asked why announce the changes now instead of the offseason, Lites said: "Because so much is happening now."

Lites and Jason Farris, the team's executive vice president and chief operating officer, will expand their responsibilities with Northland Properties Corporation, the largest-held hospitality company in Canada which is run by Gaglardi and his father Bob. In recent years, Northlands has opened Moxie's Grill and Bar locations in Uptown Dallas and Houston. They are working on opening a Sandman Hotel in Plano, which will house a Moxie's Grill and Bar and a Shark Club Sports Bar. Northlands also has purchased land in Dallas, Frisco and Las Colinas for the future construction of Sutton Place Hotels.

Farris will have an active role in the development of nearly fifty acres of real estate in Cedar Park adjacent to H-E-B Center where the Texas Stars play, and all other real estate-related opportunities for the Stars and Northland Properties.

"We're a different NHL organization, because we own our AHL affiliate and we run and continue to develop community hockey facilities (the Dr Pepper StarCenters), so there's a lot going on," said Alberts. "It's a large business and it's not just a hockey business, so we need to have a lot of people on the same page."

Lites, 65, said he's not close to retiring and said he looks forward to working with Alberts, who he hired back in 1996 and then rehired in 2011 when Gaglardi bought the Stars and brought Lites back.

"Basically, every chance I have ever had to hire Brad Alberts, I've done it, so that's how much I think about him," Lites said. "He is perfectly positioned to make this move right now."

Alberts, 48, started selling tickets with the Stars coming out of college in 1996. He quickly worked his way up the ladder and was an executive vice president with the Hicks Sports Marketing Group from 2006-09, working with the Stars, the Texas Rangers and Liverpool FC. When the Stars went into bankruptcy in 2009, Alberts moved to Legends/CSL and did a lot of work with the Cowboys.

However, when Lites was hired by Gaglardi in 2011, he brought back Alberts. They have both been a big part of the rebrand and rebuild since.

"I've had so many good mentors in this business, but Jim is by far the one who has helped me most," Alberts said. "I think we have a great relationship and I look forward to working together for years to come."

Alberts said he has been lucky to find a home in Dallas.

"I love this team, I love this city, I'm very fortunate to be here," he said. "I was here for the Stanley Cup in 1999, and what I want to see is the Stars win another Cup and then see the city celebrate. That's my dream."

Here is the press release:

FRISCO, Texas - Dallas Stars Owner and Governor Tom Gaglardi today announced changes in the operating structure of the organization's business operations.

Jim Lites will remain as Chief Executive Officer of the team, while Brad Alberts will now serve as President and report directly to Lites. Previously, Lites held the dual role of President and Chief Executive Officer, and Alberts served as Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. With the move, Alberts will now have significantly more control over the day-to-day operations of the business.

As Chief Executive Officer, Lites will continue to work with Alberts and ownership on the day-to-day business activities of the Stars, oversee the hockey operations department, continue to chair the Dallas Stars Ownership Advisory Group, represent Stars management on the board of Center Operating Company (American Airlines Center), and maintain his role as the organization's Alternate Governor. Additionally, Lites will continue his role as a top advisor to Northland Properties Corporation and Gaglardi as they expand their hospitality, hotel and restaurant business in Texas.

Now in Lites' third stint with the Stars (1993-02; 2003-07; 2011-present), the team has won seven division championships, two Western Conference championships, two Presidents' Trophies, and the 1999 Stanley Cup under his watch. He played an active role in the conception, design, construction and on-going business operations of American Airlines Center and Dr Pepper StarCenter ice facilities. Most recently, Lites played a significant role in hiring General Manager Jim Nill, purchasing the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League (AHL) and establishing the operating lease of H-E-B Center at Cedar Park in Cedar Park, Texas.

Alberts will oversee all aspects of the Stars business operations going forward. Previously leading all sales and marketing, he will also now head all aspects of the organization's finance and administration, box office, human resources and information technology. He will continue to serve as President of the Texas Stars. Since rejoining the team in 2011, Alberts has played an integral role in the resurgence of the Stars in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, helping lead the organization to tremendous growth in brand visibility, attendance and sponsorship sales. Alberts and his leadership team have been instrumental in the sweeping rebrand of the team, retiring the numbers of Mike Modano and Jere Lehtinen, and creating tremendous sponsorship value for the team and its partners.

Alberts' career includes nearly two decades of professional sports experience selling tickets, suites, premium seating, and sponsorships. From 1996-09, Alberts worked for the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers in various sales management roles in tickets, suites and corporate sponsorships. From 2006-09, Alberts served as the Executive Vice President of the Hicks Sports Marketing Group, the in-house sponsorship sales group for the Stars, Texas Rangers, and Liverpool Football Club. In 2009, Alberts took over as the Vice President of Sponsorship and Sales at Legends/CSL, overseeing a number of events at numerous venues around the country.

Jason Farris will remain Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer reporting to Lites. He will continue to serve as an Alternate Governor, manage the operation of Dr Pepper StarCenters, handle the NHL financial reporting for the club, manage the NHL Growth Fund initiatives and conduct all banking relationships for the organization. New to this role, Farris and Lites will work side-by-side to identify opportunities to increase the footprint of Northland Properties Corporation in and around Texas. Northland Properties Corporation, the largest privately-held hospitality company in Canada, expanded to the United States when it opened two Moxie's Grill and Bar locations in Uptown Dallas and Houston. Northland Properties currently has several projects underway, including the construction of a Sandman Hotel in Plano, which will house a Moxie's Grill and Bar and a Shark Club Sports Bar. The corporation also has purchased land in Dallas, Frisco and Las Colinas for the future construction of Sutton Place Hotels. In addition, Farris will take an active role in the development of nearly fifty acres of real estate in Cedar Park, Texas adjacent to H-E-B Center, and all other real estate-related opportunities for the Stars and Northland Properties.

Alana Matthews has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Business Operations and General Counsel reporting directly to Alberts. In her role, she will oversee human resources, legal, finance and administration, information technology and Dr Pepper Arena. With the team for four years, Matthews received her law degree from SMU Dedman School of Law. Since joining the team, she has been integral in the daily operations of the organization including the expansion of the Dr Pepper StarCenters, the acquisition of the Texas Stars, securing the operational rights of H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, and leading the organization's efforts, alongside the major league sports clubs in Texas, to amend the Texas Constitution allowing for the expansion of charitable raffles, which has significantly increased the fundraising efforts of the Dallas Stars Foundation.

Matt Bowman has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer and will report directly to Alberts. Previously the team's Vice President of Sales and Marketing, he will oversee ticket sales and service, ticket operations, marketing and business intelligence for the team. In his sixth season with the team, Bowman has helped expand the organization's fan base, doubling the amount of season ticket holders in that span. The team's fan-forward customer service strategy has driven high retention rates and increased fan satisfaction. In marketing, Bowman has helped guide the organization in developing new strategies to build enhancements for Stars fans, and connect traditional advertising to new marketing assets in the digital space.