Gerard “Jerry” Gallagher, executive director of the Minneapolis Convention Center, died of a heart attack June 25.
Gallagher began his post at the convention center last November and had gone back to his home in Syracuse, N.Y., to help move his family out to Minneapolis when he unexpectedly passed. He was 51.
“We are devastated,” said Jeff Johnson, director of event services for the convention center. “Jerry had a great sense of humor, he was a great leader, he was new to the convention center, and in seven months he had done a lot to invigorate and change some things and was really excited about the opportunity to come to Minneapolis and bring his family here.
We are a family here and trying to push forward and achieve the goals he wanted to see happen at the convention center,” Johnson continued. “Our heart goes out to his family and three children as they go through this very difficult time.”
Prior to working in Minneapolis, Gallagher served as the CEO of the Oncenter Complex in Syracuse, N.Y.
According to Johnson, a committee will soon be formed to find Gallagher’s replacement.
