Lightning CEO reworks leadership style, business soars

There was a time when few wanted to make a career working for the Tampa Bay Lightning. But with a CEO who reworked his leadership style, the business side has soared. Can he maintain the success?

By Traci McMillan Beach
| 6:00 a.m. March 23, 2018
| 0 Free Articles Remaining!

Steve Griggs was named CEO of Tampa Bay Lightning and some related entities in 2015.

Leadership

Growing up in Canada, Steve Griggs put on his first ice skates at 3 years old. By age 4, he was playing organized hockey. All of his childhood, he dreamed of playing in the National Hockey League.

Fast-forward to today and the now 50-year-old Griggs may not have accomplished that dream. But he managed to find a way to stay close to the ice.

Griggs remembers telling his wife about his second big dream, when he was 22 years old, to one day become president of a hockey team. Griggs has accomplished that — and more. He’s the CEO of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Amalie Arena in Tampa, the Tampa Bay Storm Arena Football League team and Tampa Bay Entertainment Properties.