January 20, 2016

ST. LOUIS – A longtime executive with a Fortune 500 printing company has been named the Chief Operating Officer for the Midwest Professional Basketball Association, commissioner and chief executive officer C. Edward “Ed” Schumer announced today.

                Steven A. “Buzz” Zeller, who retired after more than 35 years as Director of IT Procurement, Software Compliance, and Contract/Project Management from RR Donnelley, will oversee the marketing, finance and business operations of the league, effective immediately.  Zeller and his wife Shirley will also become principal investors in the league.  Zeller also serves as assistant general manager of the Pontiac 66ers.

                “I couldn’t be more pleased to elevate Buzz to this role,” said Schumer.  “Since his involvement with the Pontiac team and the league as a whole from the start of the season, he’s brought a wealth of business experience and organization to our operation, and he’s been a tremendous asset in the few short months he’s been working with us.” 

                With Donnelley, Zeller’s roles included managing a team of professionals with oversight and control for all areas of corporate information technology procurement, software compliance and contract/project operations.  He has extensive experience managing large staff operations, and developing and overseeing high-dollar operating budgets.

Zeller also has extensive experience with sourcing, negotiating and authoring contracts in multiple areas of business platforms, and has hands-on experience working with corporation counsels of both parties to structure agreements that were designed to bring equitability and fairness to both entities. 

In 1998, while continuing to work for Donnelley, Zeller began building a start-up company focused on providing small businesses and home-based clients with on-site computer technical support.   That business continues today with more than 250 clients in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Florida and Texas. 

“Buzz is a perfect fit for us,” said Schumer.  “He’ll help take us where we want to go.”