USTA CEO & Exec Dir GORDON SMITH announced his retirement, effective Dec. 31, 2019. Smith is the organization's longest-tenured top executive, with leadership dating back to November '07. He oversaw the significant growth of the U.S. Open, and gross revenue nearly doubled during his tenure and attendance is at record levels. The USTA will begin a search for a new CEO by first identifying a search firm by March. USTA BOD Chair & President PATRICK GALBRAITH will lead the USTA in selecting that firm, joined by BOD members KATRINA ADAMS and TOMMY HO. Smith has been asked to assist in the search process (USTA). Tennis Channel's Jimmy Arias said it is "amazing what the U.S. Open has done as a tournament since he has been CEO" ("Tennis Channel Live," Tennis Channel, 1/11).
EXECS: The Braves named Blue Jays Special Assistant to the GM DANA BROWN VP/Scouting. He "replaces BRIAN BRIDGES," and his hiring "represents the most significant move yet in the team's remaking of its scouting department" (AJC.com, 1/11)....The Dolphins named Bills national scout MARVIN ALLEN Assistant GM. Allen also previously "spent four years" as the Chiefs Dir of College Scouting (South Florida SUN SENTINEL, 1/14)....The Montag Group promoted KEVIN BELBEY to Dir of Sports Broadcasting (THE DAILY)....Talladega Superspeedway named Homestead-Miami Speedway Race Track Manager JASON PAYNE Dir of Operations (Talladega)....The 49ers dismissed both athletic trainer JEFF FERGUSON and head strength and conditioning coach RAY WRIGHT (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 1/12).
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