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From: Brian Bishop (Brian@bwfcom.com) Sent: Friday, October 03, 2003 12:59 PM Subject: D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission Announces Search Commmittee to be Appointed to Recruit New Executive Director FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, DC - October 3, 2003 - John J. Mahoney, Interim Chairman of the Board of the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission, today announced that a search committee of its Board of Directors will be appointed to recruit a new Executive Director of the Commission. The three-year employment contract of the current Executive Director, Bobby Goldwater, will expire in November of this year. "Bobby Goldwater requested that the Board not consider renewing or extending his contract with the Commission and the Board is honoring that request," Mahoney said. "He said he will be pursuing other career options in sports, entertainment and facility management." The search and selection of a successor is expected to take several months. "In parallel," Mahoney added, "the Commission will work with the Mayor and the DC Council to address current challenges and to formulate plans that will sustain the Commission as an important component of economic development in the District." The D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission manages RFK Stadium and the non-military functions of the D.C. Armory. It promotes sports and entertainment events in the city and has played a major role in the on-going effort to attract Major League Baseball to the District. Statement from Bobby Goldwater, President and Executive Director, D.C. Sports and Entertainment CommissionLast evening, I sent a letter to Jack Mahoney, the Interim Chairman of the Sports and Entertainment Commission, respectfully requesting that the Board of Directors not consider renewing or extending my agreement as the President and Executive Director of the Commission which runs through November 5, 2003. There have been a growing number of distractions, issues and challenges in recent weeks and months that have taken me away from what I came here to do and what I think I do best. I could not see this situation getting better and it would have been unfair to let it continue. After speaking to several people in the last few days, I reached the conclusion that it would be best to simply let my contract expire and move on. It has been a personal and professional privilege to be here for the past three years. The Commission has accomplished so much in such a short time and we have been extremely gratified by the many acknowledgements we have received. I've appreciated the support, guidance and encouragement from many people and special colleagues throughout the District and around the country. I've especially enjoyed being a part of the outstanding team of dedicated professionals who make up the Commission staff. RFK Stadium continues to be a great venue because of our staff. There's a great untold story about everything that has been accomplished by the Commission in just three years - the progress on bringing Major League Baseball back to the District, the rejuvenation of RFK, working with D.C. United on moving ahead with the concept of a new soccer stadium, introducing the Washington Freedom and having them bring home the WUSA title this year, the many major events we were responsible for including the United We Stand benefit concert after September 11 and last month's Women's World Cup soccer tournament, the expansion of the Commission's community and youth programs, improving the guest experience at our facilities, adding to the event mix at the Armory and so much more. It's been a time of growth, excitement and change. I have especially appreciated the privilege of getting inspiration from and of collaborating with some outstanding leaders who are dedicated to public service and seeing new horizons for the city including Mayor Williams, Deputy Mayor Price and his entire staff, John Koskinen and Councilmembers such as Chairman Cropp and Chairman Brazil. We did everything possible to bring to life the vision for the Commission expressed by the Board members who recruited me to come to Washington and to contribute to the quality of life for the people who live and work here. I'm grateful to have been a part of that. I love my profession - the sports, entertainment and facility management business - and have been devoted to it for close to 30 years. I have now worked in the three greatest places in the world - Madison Square Garden in New York City, Staples Center in Los Angeles and here in Washington: I'm looking forward to taking my energy, passion and experience to a new opportunity. 10/3/2003 |
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