USOC NEWS: Executive Committee Selects Marty Mankamyer As Nominee for Presidency; USOC Announces Sta

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Carla Oconnell (USOC)
07/30/2002


CHICAGO, ILL. - - The United States Olympic Committee Executive Committee selected Marty Mankamyer as the nominee for the presidency of the USOC. Mankamyer's name will now be placed on a ballot and submitted to the USOC Board of Directors. If she achieves a majority vote of the Board, Mankamyer will be named USOC President for the remainder of the current quadrennial period, which ends late in 2004.    Under Article XI, Section 5(A) of the USOC's constitution, the USOC Executive Committee was required to make a nomination to the Board of Directors to fill the position vacated by Sandra Baldwin, who resigned on May 24, 2002.  Now the Board will be requested to approve by mail ballot Mankamyer's nomination for the organization's top volunteer position.  If this process does not result in the Executive Committee's nominee receiving a majority of votes, the Executive Committee must determine the process whereby it will make a nomination to the Board of Directors for its consideration at the November 2002 BOD meeting in Colorado Springs.    The ballot nominating Mankamyer will be sent to USOC Board of Director members within the next few days.  Within approximately 10 days thereafter, completed ballots must be returned to one of the USOC's outside accounting firms.  The result of the vote will be announced shortly thereafter.    Mankamyer, who has been the USOC's Acting President since Baldwin's resignation, is serving her first term as USOC Vice President Secretariat. She has been a member of the USOC Board of Directors since 1990, where she represented the U.S. Soccer Federation, and, as Vice Chair of the NGB Council, served on the USOC Executive Committee from 1992 to 1996.    The first woman elected to U.S. Soccer Federation's Executive Committee, Mankamyer led the successful effort to include women's soccer on the official program for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.  In addition to serving as Assistant Chef de Mission for the U.S. Delegation at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, she was soccer delegation supervisor at the 1996 Olympic Games, water skiing supervisor and soccer liaison at the 1995 Pan American Games in Argentina, and soccer's volunteer at the 1983, 1979 and 1978 National Sports Festivals.    A native of Farmington, N.M., Mankamyer and her husband, Jack, have four daughters, three sons and nine grandchildren.  She was born September 8, 1933.    USOC Names Wohlschlaeger as Chief Operating Officer, Announces Additional Organizational Changes    COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.  - - The United States Olympic Committee has announced a series of staff organizational changes, including the appointment of Fred Wohlschlaeger as Chief Operating Officer.  Mike Moran, the USOC's longest-serving senior executive, has been named the organization's Chief Communications Officer, and Michael Wilson is returning to Media and Public Relations as Managing Director.    "The United States Olympic Committee has experienced great success in its history, however we are now facing more challenges than ever," USOC Chief Executive Officer Lloyd Ward said.  "In addition to talented athletes, this organization has a very talented staff, and it is vital to our success that we effectively utilize the abilities within that team to achieve our strategic vision and improve and enhance customer service excellence.  This modest reorganization puts the right people in the spots where they can best meet these challenges."    Wohlschlaeger joined the USOC as Chief of Staff in January 2002 following a distinguished career in corporate America as a senior executive and general counsel for several major companies, including Maytag, Hartmarx and Morton International. As part of the USOC restructuring, Sport Performance, U.S. Paralympics and Development will now report to Wohlschlaeger.    Since February 1979, Moran has directed the USOC's public relations and media efforts, as well as being the organization's chief spokesperson.  A veteran of 13 Olympic Games, he is frequently requested to be the guest speaker or master of ceremonies for sports-related and other events throughout the USA.    Wilson was Assistant Director, USOC Public Information and Media Relations Division (1994-97) before serving as Director, Olympic Visitor Center and Community Relations, and most recently as Director, Marketing Services. Prior to joining the USOC, Wilson was a sports information director at several major universities.    Jim Scherr, a 1988 freestyle wrestling Olympian who is a former executive director of USA Wrestling (1990-2000) and has been the USOC's Senior Managing Director for Sport Resources since November 2000, was appointed Chief of Sport Performance.    Early Reese, USOC Chief Financial Officer since July 2000, has been appointed Chief of Finance and Administration and has assumed management of International Games, Information Technology and Meetings and Organizational Support.  Prior to joining the USOC, Reese had a 21-year career with Phillip Morris, advancing from operations analyst to senior-level management.    Chris Sullivan, who joined the USOC in August 1997 as Director of Salt Lake Games Integration, has been named Executive Liaison to the CEO.  Sullivan was Vice President of Corporate Development for the Olympic Regional Development Authority in Lake Placid, N.Y. before coming to the USOC.    Doug Ingram, who was Associate Director, International Games Preparation and Director, Games Operations before being named a Director of Sport Partnerships in July 2000, has been promoted to Managing Director, International Games.  Prior to coming to the USOC in 1992, Ingram was a high school, club and college swimming coach for 23 years.    Greg Harney, who headed up the International Games staff for the past 15 years, has been named Senior International Advisor and will continue to support the USOC's preparations for participation in international competitions as well as the efforts by U.S. cities hosting future international events.    In the Legal Affairs Division, which is led by General Counsel Jeff Benz, title changes include Gary Johansen, Associate General Counsel; Dan Perini and Kelly Maynard, Assistant General Counsel; and Jennifer Gabrius, Counsel.    With the transfer of NGB Marketing from Sport Resources to the Marketing Division, Matt Biespiel's title has been changed to Managing Director, Brand Development and NGB Marketing.  Biespiel came to the USOC in October 2000 as Managing Director of Brand Development from Visa USA, where he was Vice President, Advertising.    Teddi Domann, who joined the USOC in November 2001, has moved from the Managing Director, Partnership Marketing position to be Managing Director, Consumer Products.  Domann is a former Director of Global Sports Marketing for the McDonald's Corporation.    Mary Klever, Associate Director of Athlete Support since September 1997, has been promoted to Director, Athlete Programs, a new designation incorporating Athlete Support with Athlete Marketing and Alumni Relations, which were previously part of the USOC Marketing Division.    Alicia McConnell, Associate Director, Athlete Development and a member of the USOC staff since March 1998, is moving to the Media and Public Relations Division as Associate Director, Community Outreach Programs. McConnell is a former U.S. National Junior Women's Squash Coach.    Bob Gambardella, a Manager of Sport Partnerships since October 2000, is the new Manager of International Projects in the International Relations Division.  Gambardella came to the USOC from USA Volleyball where he was Director, Junior Athlete Development and High Performance Programs before being named Director, USA National Teams for Men and Women.    Other restructuring actions announced include moving Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center security under Chief of Security Larry Buendorf, Facilities Management under Sport Resources, Corporate Services and Marks Approval under Partnership Marketing, and Office Services under Meetings and Organizational Support.