U.S. Olympic Committee Names Declan Bolger Managing Director of Marketing Partnerships

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.-The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) announced today the appointment of Declan "Dec" Bolger as Managing Director of Marketing Partnerships. Bolger comes to the USOC from an illustrious career in professional sports, including senior marketing roles at the Portland Trailblazers (NBA), Washington Capitals (NHL), Florida Panthers (NHL) and Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB). Most recently, Bolger was president of Stonybatter, Inc., a sports marketing agency specializing in the areas of organizational evaluation, revenue generation, partnership activation and brand management. As Managing Director of Marketing Partnerships, Bolger will lead the USOC's sponsorship and licensed merchandise programs and will focus on providing more value and better services to current and new USOC corporate partners. Additionally, Bolger will oversee a staff of 8-10 people who will be responsible for selling and servicing sponsorships. He will begin his duties on March 3, 2008 and will be based at USOC headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo. In addition to Bolger's appointment, the USOC announced the following promotions in the Marketing Division: The leader behind "Amazing Awaits," John Pierce has been promoted to Managing Director, Brand Management and Research. In his new role, Pierce will continue to direct the USOC's brand management, research and digital media efforts. Susan Goldsmith will lead a new department, as Director of Marketing Properties. In her new role, Goldsmith will be responsible for developing U.S. Olympic events and programs designed to advance the USOC's mission and provide value for corporate partners. Mary-Clare Brennan has been promoted to Director, Sponsorship Activation/Fulfillment and will lead a new department dedicated to facilitating all of the USOC's corporate partner relationships through business research, brand analysis and strategy. As Director of Sponsorship Sales and Services, Chester Wheeler will lead the USOC's sponsorship sales and service efforts and Bill Korbus will continue to direct the licensed merchandise and consumer product programs as Associate Director, Merchandise, Licensing and Retail. Brennan, Wheeler and Korbus will all report directly to Bolger. "We are thrilled to be able to add a team member with the level of experience and expertise that Declan Bolger brings to our division," said Chief Marketing Officer Rick Burton. "We look forward to enhancing the U.S. Olympic Brand and extending the Olympic movement with our new Marketing team." The USOC Marketing Division will now be comprised of three main components: the sales and servicing groups have been combined under one umbrella, Partnership Marketing and will be led by Declan Bolger. John Pierce will head Brand Management and Research and Marketing Properties will be led by Susan Goldsmith. Bolger, Pierce and Goldsmith will all report directly to Burton.