Executive Transactions

Browns Hire Nance As General Counsel

The Browns named FRED NANCE General Counsel. Nance is currently Regional Managing Partner for the int'l law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP. Nance in '06 was one of five finalists for the position of NFL Commissioner (Browns)….The L.A. Sparks named WNBA Dir of Team Business Development LINDSAY AMSTUTZ VP & CMO (Sparks)….The Dodgers named VANCE LOVELACE to the newly-created position of Dir of Pro Scouting, Special Advisor to the GM (Dodgers)….The MLS N.Y. Red Bulls named Eagles Assistant Sports Field Manager DAN SHEMESH Dir of Grounds (Red Bulls).

TAKING OVER FULL TIME: KARL SCHMITT JR. was named Exec Dir of the Louisville Sports Commission after serving as the organization's interim Dir since July. Schmitt replaces DIANE MCGRAW, who "resigned in July amid what she described as frustrations in dealing with the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau officials." From '87-'06, Schmitt was with Churchill Downs Inc., rising to Senior VP. Most recently, he has operated a consulting firm and coordinated community events in surrounding Louisville's hosting of the '08 Ryder Cup (LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL, 12/9).

EXECS: 776 Original Marketing hired KURT HOLTSCHLAG as Manager of Corporate Sales. Holtschlag will be responsible for the development and sale of corporate sponsorship opportunities for 776 clients. He formerly worked as Regional Dir of Business Development for Denver-based Securitas, a global provider of security services and systems for homes, businesses and communities (THE DAILY)....FIFA Dir of Communications HANS KLAUS has resigned "over differences in strategy." FIFA Head of Media NICOLAS MAINGOT was named acting Dir of Communications & Public Affairs, while PEKKA ODRIOZOLA assumes Head of Media duties on a temporary basis (WORLDFOOTBALLINSIDER.com, 12/8)….The Aspire Group promoted ABBEY CARTER to Marketing Coordinator, and CHARLES NIEVES, A.J. SMITH, RYAN GOTTLIEB and KENNY STEVENS to Ticket Sales Consultants (Aspire Group).

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