In a "further sign of the looming shake-up in the
organization," new USOC CEO Norm Blake has hired executive
search firm Spencer Stuart "to recruit his top lieutenants,"
according to USA TODAY's Mike Dodd. Blake said that he has
retained Spencer Stuart "for more than one assignment," but
he declined to identify the specific positions he is looking
to upgrade. Blake "hoped the searches could be completed
within a month" and expects to announce a replacement for
the departing Deputy Exec Dir of Marketing Dave Ogrean in
just over a month. Blake said that he plans to "streamline
the organization, cutting his staff to make way for high-
level hires who would have broader responsibilities." Blake
will temporarily take over Ogrean's post and said that he
will "use the opportunity to rethink the USOC's marketing
strategies." Blake: "We need to find ways to diversify our
revenue base" (USA TODAY, 3/27). Blake, on conducting a
national search to replace Ogrean: "I think my druthers at
this point in time will be to go outside [the organization].
This is an opportunity to take a fresh look at marketing in
terms of re-inventing what we're doing, ways to improve
revenue" (Paula Parrish, CO Springs GAZETTE, 3/26).
