USOC places real estate exec in new CBO position

The U.S. Olympic Committee has hired Kevin Penn, senior vice president of strategy and administration for real estate company Highwoods Properties, as its first chief of business operations.

Penn is expected to play a key role in reconsidering how sport programs are funded, as part of a broader mission to develop data-based performance standards throughout Team USA. He will directly oversee USOC audit, business intelligence, facilities, finance, IT, security and strategic planning divisions, assuming duties previously held by retired Chief Financial Officer Walt Glover and former Chief of Organizational Excellence Benita Fitzgerald Mosley.

Penn, who starts July 18, will report to CEO Scott Blackmun.