Populous Americas has appointed Bruce Miller as managing director. Miller (pictured) was elected by the firm’s global holdings board to a two-year term in the role. He follows Earl Santee, who completed a pair of two-year terms in the position. Santee will remain on the firm’s holdings board and an active member of the firm’s design practice.
Santee said: “When our holdings board created this new role of managing director in 2015, the intent was for the position to rotate among firm leadership in order to provide continual evolution and fresh perspective to the practice. We’re founded on a strong belief in innovation, and this is on display at the very top of our organisation in how we have chosen to structure our leadership.”
Miller assumes responsibility for the Americas practice amid robust growth for the firm. Americas staff has grown 50% since 2014 and is now approaching 400 employees in nine offices, six of which are expansion markets for the firm. Most recently, the firm hired 14 staff in Dallas, Texas, led by designers Byron Chambers and Jonathan Kelly.
Miller, who has spent his entire 30-year career with Populous, said: “Technology is rapidly advancing, and sustainability is becoming increasingly important – the world of design continues to evolve and it’s our mission to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible.”
In addition to Miller’s appointment, Populous’ Americas practice also announced the appointment of Lyle Miller and Brian Mirakian to its regional board of directors. Miller has been with the firm since 1985 and Mirakian since 2005.
Michael Dowse, president of sports equipment manufacturer Wilson, has been named CEO and executive director of the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Dowse will replace outgoing chief executive Gordon Smith, who is retiring on December 31 after 12 years in the post.
In his new role, Dowse will be charged with leading the USTA’s overall vision and its strategy for the growth of tennis participation with juniors and adults at all levels, while also ensuring diversity throughout the sport. Additionally, he will set the strategic direction and lead the USTA’s involvement in professional tennis in the US and throughout the world, developing strategies to further promote the health and viability of professional tennis in the United States.
Dowse has served as president of Wilson since 2013. Starting January 1, 2020, Dowse will be based at the USTA National Campus in the Lake Nona neighbourhood of Orlando, Florida.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced an organisational overhaul as part of a streamlining effort designed to reflect its Agenda 2020 reform plan. As part of the restructuring news, a number of new appointments have been made.
Lana Haddad, chief financial officer of the IOC, will become chief operating officer, overseeing the Human Resources Department, Finance Department, Legal Affairs Department, Corporate Events & Services Department and the Corporate Security Unit.
As part of the IOC’s digital strategy, a Digital Engagement Department is being created and will be led by Christopher Carroll. The Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department will be led by Christian Klaue, who will be promoted as director.
The newly named Corporate and Sustainable Development Department will address gender equality, under the leadership of Marie Sallois. On October 1, Angelita Teo started as the new director of the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage and the Olympic Museum.
Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the commercial arm of football’s Indian Super League (ISL), has appointed Martin Bain as its CEO. Bain arrives with over 25 years of experience, having held top positions at various football clubs and leagues globally.
The 51-year-old Scotsman was CEO of his home club Rangers while also serving a three-year term as director of the Scottish Premier League. Martin served as the CEO of Maccabi Tel-Aviv between 2014-16, which is when the Israeli club qualified for the UEFA Champions League. His most recent football assignment saw Bain serve as CEO of Sunderland.
English Premiership rugby union club Worcester Warriors has made two boardroom appointments by promoting Peter Kelly from operations director to managing director with immediate effect and recruiting Michael Davies as commercial director.
Kelly arrived a year ago after a business career in the retail sector and has played a significant role in overseeing the major improvements that have taken place at Sixways Stadium over the summer including the installation of new floodlights, two big screens with digital ribbon, an upgraded public address system and new Fanzone.
Davies, who started work at Sixways on Monday, has a successful track record across a range of sports. He joins Warriors from League One football club Wycombe Wanderers, where he had been general manager since 2017.
Davies has previous top flight rugby experience having been operations manager of London Welsh from 2014 to 2016. He also worked as a consultant to the International Rugby Board – now World Rugby – from 2013 to 2014.
League One football club Blackpool has appointed Ben Mansford as its new CEO, effective from November 1, with the former Barnsley and Leeds United chief also joining the board of directors.
Mansford joins from Maccabi Tel Aviv where he has spent the last two years. His appointment will see Linton Brown step into the permanent role of chief commercial officer. The duo previously worked together at Barnsley.
Do you have news of an appointment that we should know about? Get in touch by emailing news.editor@thestadiumbusiness.com and we’ll include it in our next round-up.
Image: Populous
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