Acting CEO and BOD member Susanne Lyons was offered the USOC CEO job, which she turned downGETTY IMAGES
The USOC’s search for a new CEO was challenging and the BOD approached at least two others about taking the job before landing USGA Chief Commercial Officer Sarah Hirshland, sources said. Acting CEO and BOD member Susanne Lyons turned down the job on a full-time basis. Additionally, the BOD late last month made an offer to an unknown candidate who turned down the job before they turned to Hirshland. USOC Chair Larry Probst did not directly answer a question about other choices, though he noted search consultancy Spencer Stuart "led an incredibly thorough process.” Probst said, "They identified an amazing slate of diverse candidates. They identified a number of final candidates for the search committee to consider and our board to consider. We’re absolutely thrilled the board unanimously agreed to offer the job to Sarah, and we’re thrilled to have her on board." Hirshland will earn a $600,000 annual salary, with a potential for a 50% bonus. In '16, the last year for which tax filings are available, former CEO Scott Blackmun earned $1.075M in total compensation, of which $646,000 was base salary. Insiders considered the job especially difficult to fill, considering the long list of challenges facing the committee, the political pressure to keep exec salaries low and the remote location of its Colorado Springs HQ. Hirshland, who now lives in New Jersey, was born in Colorado and said she is excited to return home. “For me, it’s an incredible challenge but an incredible opportunity to really impact change and drive forward what is so good and solid about the history of the Olympics and Paralympics,” Hirshland said.
