Korn Ferry Helps to Recruit CEO for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games

June 10, 2024 – Korn Ferry has recruited Reynold Hoover as the new CEO of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. “Reynold is a mission first, people always leader,” said Gary D. Burnison, CEO of Korn Ferry. “LA28 has an incredibly gifted and experienced CEO, uniquely qualified to bring together the spirit and purpose of the Olympic and Paralympic Games as the world comes to Los Angeles. With millions of fans, thousands of athletes and countless volunteers, these games will display a beautiful mosaic of people, perspectives and passion – and I know LA28, Casey Wasserman and Reynold will bring out the best of everyone involved.”

“Reynold is one of the few people in the nation who possesses the operational and logistics expertise that the Olympic and Paralympic Games require,” said LA28 chairperson and president, Casey Wasserman. “He’s been tasked with some of our nation’s most complex challenges, and we are fortunate to have him on our team as we prepare to welcome the world in 2028.”

“I met with Reynold last week to discuss our shared priorities, including preparing our entire region to host the Games and to ensure this event leaves lasting benefits for our community,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “I look forward to forging a close, collaborative relationship as we work together to prepare for the 2028 Games.”

Mr. Hoover will be leading the organizing committee’s staff through the planning and execution of the Games. He comes to LA28 following leadership positions in the U.S. Military, along with senior civilian roles in the federal government, and brings significant experience in planning, operations and logistics to help deliver the world’s largest peacetime gathering – the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

With little more than four years until the 2028 Opening Ceremony, Mr. Hoover’s appointment underscores LA28’s heightened focus on operations and delivery, which is typical for organizing committees at this stage, given the complexity and scope of staging the games. As CEO, Mr. Hoover will direct the organizing committee’s day-to-day work and report to LA28 chairperson and president Casey Wasserman. LA28’s board of directors approved Mr. Hoover’s selection last week, and he will begin at LA28 on June 10, 2024.

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“Helping to deliver an Olympic and Paralympic Games on American soil will serve as the capstone of my career in public service,” said Mr. Hoover. “Sport is a powerful convening force, and it is the opportunity of a lifetime to bring the Los Angeles community, the nation and the world together through the games. I look forward to working with LA28’s talented team and the many dedicated community and business partners to help deliver another successful games in Los Angeles.”

Odgers Berndtson Tapped to Fill Posts for 2032 Olympic Games

Odgers Berndtson has been appointed to find five independent directors, including the president, to serve on the organizing committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane. Federal Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said a “rigorous recruitment process will ensure an unparalleled line-up of board directors working in the best interests of Queenslanders and all Australians.” The Australian and Queensland governments said they will work with Odgers to identify the officials, at least one of whom should be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. The chosen representatives will be determined by prime minister Scott Morrison and Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. “I’m delighted that the Australian and Queensland governments will work with Odgers Berndtson to identify, attract and secure the best talent for these important positions,” said Ms. Palaszczuk. “The organizing committee will be responsible for driving Brisbane 2032 forward and delivering a great Olympic and Paralympic Games. To do this we need to recruit the best people in the world.”

Ms. Palaszczuk said the appointment of Odgers Berndtson as its executive search partner would attract people with world-class skills and experience. “I’m delighted that the Australian and Queensland governments will work with Odgers Berndtson to identify, attract and secure the best talent for these important positions,” she said.

A U.S. Army and National Guard veteran, Mr. Hoover earned the rank of lieutenant general, with three stars. Most recently, he served as deputy commander, U.S. northern command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs from 2016 until he retired in 2018. Among his many military assignments, he oversaw logistics as commander, Joint Sustainment Command Afghanistan, during Operation Enduring Freedom from 2009 until 2010, and he commanded the 167th Theater Sustainment Command from 2011 until 2014. Since his retirement from the military, Mr. Hoover has served as senior mentor at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, PA, as a senior fellow at the McCrary Institute at Auburn University, and was a member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council. His work in the private sector includes positions at CSX Intermodal and CSX Transportation, and as a commercial litigation attorney. He is a member of the Florida and District of Columbia Bar, and the Council on Foreign Relations.

Unparalleled Track Record

“It was a privilege to work with Reynold while he served in Colorado Springs as deputy of Northern Command,” said general Lori Robinson. “His ability for flawless execution and diligent leadership, while maintaining a deep sense of calm and trust, is sure to resonate amongst the various community, civic and commercial partners associated with the LA28 Games. Given his unparalleled track record in creating connectivity and engagement – particularly across a multitude of stakeholders – Reynold is the right person for his next critical assignment.”

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The LA28 Games will mark Los Angeles’ third time to host the Olympic Games, previously hosted in 1984 and 1932, and first time to host the Paralympic Games. The LA28 Games are independently operated by a privately funded, non-profit organization with revenue from corporate partners, licensing agreements, hospitality and ticketing programs and a significant contribution from the International Olympic Committee.

Korn Ferry is a Los Angeles-headquartered executive recruiter and leadership consultant and the largest globally and in the Americas. The firm’s 8,600 colleagues serve clients in more than 50 countries.

Korn Ferry has a highly developed sports practice, led by Jed Hughes. His relationships within sports and intercollegiate athletics are extensive, having spent 20 years coaching in professional and intercollegiate football and working for five Hall of Fame coaches. The firm’s sports practice has conducted a number of prominent searches in the field, including commissioners for the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB), as well as the CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Korn Ferry’s sports practice has a global footprint and elite relationships inside and across sports, media, technology, and entertainment.

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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media