New Special Olympics President and CEO Bruce Pasternack (right) with Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver and Special Olympics Maryland athlete (and Special Olympics headquarters employee) Garrie Barnes (Photo by Diana Roday Hosford © Special Olympics)
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The Special Olympics Board of Directors has unanimously approved Bruce Pasternack to be the movement's new President and Chief Executive Officer. Timothy Shriver, who had been serving as Chairman, President and CEO since the retirement of Sargent Shriver in June 2003, will remain as Chairman.
Pasternack, who will assume his new position mid-year, is Senior Vice President of Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., and Managing Partner of its San Francisco, California (USA) office. His professional career includes almost three decades as a leader with Booz-Allen, one of the world's top consulting organizations. Pasternack has worked with clients all over the world and led two global practices, one in energy and the other in organization and leadership. His particular area of experience is in organizational effectiveness and growth. He has written two books on the subject, The Centerless Corporation (published in 1998) and Results (to be published in 2005).
When Special Olympics began its search for a new President in 2003, it sought to attract a leader with significant experience in international business operations appropriate for a global movement that is continuing to expand internationally. The requirements for the new CEO included substantial skills in managing complex global organization, strong communications skills, demonstrated people skills, an established and widely acknowledged reputation, widespread contacts in the business and governmental communities, and deep understanding and commitment to Special Olympics.
"I have the greatest confidence in the world that Bruce Pasternack meets our criteria, and then some," said Shriver. "No one either within or outside the Special Olympics movement has his depth and range of skills and knowledge. We are incredibly fortunate that he is willing to make an even greater commitment to our movement."
Pasternack was introduced to Special Olympics through his two daughters, who served as Special Olympics figure skating coaches during high school. In 1998, he led a major pro bono project with a team of Booz-Allen Hamilton consultants and Special Olympics staff to evaluate the movement and recommend the optimal organizational model that would best support quality global growth. That project not only led to the creation of Special Olympics' current regionalized structure, but also "hooked" Pasternack, who found himself inspired by the passion and commitment of the organization's people and athletes around the world. In March 2000, he was elected to the Special Olympics Board of Directors, where he has served on the Executive, Compensation and Marketing/Resource Development Committees.
"I am more proud of my service on the Special Olympics Board than anything else I have ever done," said Pasternack. "I love this organization. When I come to Special Olympics, I'm coming home to family."
Pasternack will begin his new role in June 2005. He and Shriver will work together through the end of 2005 to assure a smooth transition of both strategic and operational leadership.
In 2006, Shriver will continue as an active Chairman, focusing on vision, fundraising and external communications. His non-staff role will allow him to pursue his deep commitment to Special Olympics in the areas of policy and human rights. His day-to-day involvement with the movement also will continue through his own local Special Olympics Program in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Speaking on behalf of the Special Olympics Board, Vice Chair Ray Lane stated, "We are grateful to Tim for his inspired leadership and his continued invaluable commitment to Special Olympics athletes and to the movement. Since 1996, Tim has brought renewed vision, energy, innovative programming and a truly athlete-focused perspective. While Tim's role continues to evolve, we know his vision and passion will lead this movement to greater importance and impact around the world."
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