Manager of Big A to Run Convention Center Too : Facilities: Greg Smith started work at the stadium at 17, as a ticket seller. The consolidation is part of cost-cutting efforts.

A man who began work at age 17 as a ticket seller at Anaheim Stadium and became its general manager now has been named manager of the Anaheim Convention Center as well.

Because of a major reorganization plan, Greg Smith, 41, now finds himself in charge of two of Anaheim’s largest facilities at a time when both are poised for major expansion.

“My plate will be full,” said Smith, who makes $111,000 a year. “But I think it sends a good message throughout the city that we need to look at cutting our costs at the top, not just the bottom. It makes economic sense.”

The merging of the two jobs and other consolidation efforts at the two venues is expected to save the city between $250,000 and $500,000 a year, City Manager James D. Ruth said.

Ruth said other cost-saving changes among city departments and facilities will be detailed in the preliminary 1995-96 budget in May.

“We are looking at reducing costs and maximizing efficiency,” Ruth said.

Anaheim, which had $169 million in the county’s failed investment pool, was hit hard by Orange County’s bankruptcy. Still, Ruth said he does not anticipate recommending any layoffs, although some vacant positions in the city might not be filled.

Lynn Thompson, who had managed the Anaheim Convention Center since 1986 and receives $105,262 annually, has been offered the vacant job of operations manager there, but has not indicated whether he will take it, Ruth said.

Smith began splitting his time between the two venues last week.

“It’s a similar business in that you are leasing space and have parking operations and food operations,” Smith said. “My attitude is that this is good for the city and good for the departments because we become much more in concert with each other.”

Smith began his long career with the city while still a freshman at Cal State Fullerton. He worked part time at both the Big A and the convention center throughout college and was hired as an accountant for both facilities after graduation.

“I kind of grew up here,” he said.

After several promotions, he became operations manager of the Big A in 1984 then general manager in 1988. His latest promotion comes at a crucial time for both the stadium and the convention center.

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The city is negotiating a lease extension with the California Angels, which would include the construction of a new baseball-only stadium.

This would leave Anaheim Stadium vacant now that the Los Angeles Rams are leaving. The city is working to land another NFL franchise or expansion team.

Also, the City Council hired a consulting group earlier this year to develop a master plan to revitalize the land around the stadium. What is to be built has not been decided but restaurants, stores and a virtual reality entertainment center in a park-like setting of canals and landscaping are among the concepts that have been mentioned by city officials.

In addition, a $60-million expansion of the 28-year-old convention center, already one of the largest facilities of its type in the nation, has been proposed.

The council has hired one of the nation’s top six accounting firms to study the economic feasibility of such an expansion, which city officials say is crucial to keeping Anaheim competitive in the tourism industry.

“It’s an extremely exciting time,” Smith said. “We are going to undergo a lot of growth and change.”

Ruth said Smith is the ideal person to handle both jobs.

“We think he’s the right guy. Greg has strong management skills and knows both operations very well. I have a lot of confidence in his leadership. He’s a good negotiator with a good vision and he’s the only person with experience at both facilities.”