Len Perna, the chairman and chief executive officer of TurnkeyZRG, has been entrusted with the task of identifying a successor to Steve Yzerman, the long‑time general manager of the Detroit Red Wings.
Perna’s pedigree includes a stint as executive vice president and director of the Red Wings, the Detroit Tigers, and Olympia Entertainment from 1988 to 1994, and he famously led the search that brought Chris Granger into the organization as group president in 2017.
A New Era for Detroit
The search firm was launched in 1996 after Perna was approached by Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks to help with a University of Texas project, a move that allowed him to avoid conflicts of interest while building a dedicated executive‑search practice.
Since its inception, TurnkeyZRG has conducted more than a thousand searches across sports and entertainment, placing talent at franchises such as the Vegas Golden Knights, Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Dolphins, and at athletic departments of major universities.
The industry is undergoing a paradigm shift, driven by emerging technologies and evolving fan‑engagement models, which has heightened the demand for executives who can blend analytical insight with creative vision.
According to Perna, the ideal candidate will not only possess a deep understanding of the game but also the ability to navigate the modern ecosystem of digital media, sponsorship deals, and global outreach, ensuring the Red Wings remain competitive on and off the ice.