About

Twenty-five years in, still building.

Wayne Williams laughing during an interview at the Lewis Retail Centers booth at ICSC, with the Fairview Plaza leasing board behind him

I’m a marketing and business development exec with 25 years across sports, entertainment, small business and commercial real estate. Today I’m Vice President of Retail Marketing at Lewis Retail Centers, where I lead marketing for our properties across California and Nevada.

I’ve been a builder my whole career. I taught myself to build websites and turned it into my first business. Lee & Associates hired me to build their first website. At the malls I built sponsorship programs where none existed. At AEG I built a premium seating business from nothing. At the PGA Tour I grew sales into new territory. And at Lewis, retail marketing was one page on the corporate website. Now it’s a brand of its own.

These days I write about marketing, trends and whatever catches my eye. I’m also working out how AI can make marketing simpler and faster. I live in Southern California with my wife Sarah and our three small dogs.

Experience

2015 – now
Lewis Retail CentersDirector → VP, Retail Marketing

Lead marketing for our shopping centers across California and Nevada.

2019 – 2025
Staging MethodHead of Marketing & Co-Founder

Built the brand and ran marketing for the home staging company I co-founded.

2014 – 2015
PGA TourDirector of Sales

Led hospitality and sponsorship sales for the Humana Challenge.

2008 – 2014
AEG FacilitiesManager, Premium Seating Sales & Service

Built the premium seating business at a brand new arena.

2007 – 2008
Simon Property GroupDirector of Marketing & Business Development

Led marketing and business development for a large entertainment center.

2005 – 2007
NASCARCorporate Sales Manager

Sold luxury suites for race weekends.

2003 – 2005
Simon Property GroupMarketing Director

Ran marketing and sponsorships for two shopping centers.

2002 – 2003
The Mills CorporationAsst. Marketing Director → Marketing Director

Ran marketing and national sponsor programs.

2002
Lee & AssociatesMarketing Coordinator

Hired to build the company website and create marketing materials.

1999 – 2001
Thrive Website DesignFounder & Web Designer

My first business. I built websites for small businesses.

Education

Degrees

Master of Business Administration2013 University of La Verne · La Verne, CA
Bachelor of Arts, Marketing2001 California State University, San Bernardino · San Bernardino, CA

Certifications & training

Marketing I Certification International Council of Shopping Centers
Effective Negotiating Karrass
Media Relations Training Simon Property Group
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