Rogers' long standing career in the sports and entertainment industry has spanned more than 30 years. The 1992 graduate of Western Illinois University (Recreation Park and Tourism Administration Degree – RPTA) first started his career as a Marketing/Public Relations intern with the Peoria Rivermen Hockey team in Peoria, IL and left in 2008 as the longest tenured employee in the history of the Rivermen. He enjoyed job promotions while with the Rivermen from Director of Merchandise/Game Operations (1993), Assistant General Manger (1998), General Manager (2000) and ultimately, President/CEO (2004-2008). In 2005, Rogers was instrumental in moving the Rivermen franchise from the ECHL to the American Hockey League and forming a 10 year working relationship with the NHL's St. Louis Blues. He was the direct liaison with all day to day operations of the business and hockey side of the operation with local ownership and the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club. In 2008, Rogers moved to the U.S. Cellular Coliseum and became its Vice President/General Manager. In 2013, he was instrumental in helping save hockey in Peoria, by putting a local ownership together to purchase a franchise to play in the SPHL with long time Owner Bruce Saurs. In 2016, he left the US Cellular Coliseum to come back to Peoria to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Rivermen. Over his tenure in hockey, Rogers received numerous league awards: International Hockey League Merchandise Manager of the Year (1993 & 1995), International Hockey League Marketing Director of the Year (1996), ECHL Marketing Director of the Year (1999 and 2002) and was runner-up in 2008 for the James C. Hendy Award (Highest Award given in “AAA” Hockey Executive), as the outstanding executive of the year in American Hockey League. In 2008, Rogers was awarded one of the top honors from Western Illinois University for an Alumnus, the 2008 Alumni Achievement Award and in 2012 was awarded through the WIU Recreation Park and Tourism Department’s Distinguished Alumni Award. He currently is the Vice Chairman of the Southern Professional Hockey League. The community minded Rogers has spread his time around helping with numerous volunteer efforts in the community.Bart and his wife Kirsten (First Grade Teacher of 30 years for Pekin District #108) make their home in Morton, IL and have two daughters: Hannah (25) and Elle (20).