TurnkeyZRG Recruits Executive Director for the Head of the Charles Regatta
June 24, 2024 – TurnkeyZRG recently assisted in the recruitment of Tori Stevens as the new executive director of the Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR), the world’s largest rowing regatta in Boston. Succeeding Fred Schoch’s 33-year tenure leading the Regatta, Ms. Stevens comes to HOCR as its second executive director in its 59-year history after serving as CEO for SUP3R, an affiliated company of Superfly. “When we launched our international search last year, we were dedicated to find a leader who would join us in our commitment to running a world-class regatta and at the same time help us think proactively about the areas where we can continue to pioneer, grow, and improve,” said Tim Fulham, chair of the HOCR board of directors. “Tori’s impressive career speaks for itself. Her ability to be forward thinking while respecting the history of the Regatta makes her the right leader for the Regatta now and into the future.”
Ms. Stevens brings over two decades’ worth of global leadership experience in the sports, media and technology industries. Most recently, she served as the CEO for SUP3R. Previously, Ms. Stevens held executive positions at GumGum Sports, the Sports Innovation Lab, CSM Sports & Entertainment and the Boston Consulting Group. She also spent 15 years at ESPN where, among many positions, she served as vice president of global X Games events and operations.
Ms. Stevens is a board member of USA Pickleball, a member of Chief, Boston, WISE (Women in Sports Tech., Inc.), Women in Innovation, and an advisor for MBA Sports Business Alliance. She has a BA from Dartmouth and an MBA from Columbia.
“I am honored to be selected as the next executive director of the Head Of The Charles Regatta,” said Ms. Stevens. “I am excited to work with our team of staff and volunteers as we welcome athletes, coaches, and spectators to our iconic Regatta. I know we will build on the Regatta’s legacy as we grow and innovate both in the sport of rowing and how we support our communities.”
“The 2024 Regatta on October 18th-20th will be particularly exciting,” said Mr. Fulham. “Since we are in an Olympic year, we expect over 50 Olympians will be in Boston to compete, along with our regular complement of youth, collegiate, and masters’ athletes. We will be introducing Tori to the rowing community at an exciting time for the Regatta.”
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Founded in 1965, the Head Of The Charles has become the world’s largest rowing regatta and the preeminent regatta on the USRowing calendar. The three-day world regatta welcomes over 12,000 athletes from 30 countries and nearly all the U.S. states. The 400,000+ spectators who attend every year create an estimated economic impact in Massachusetts of over $88 million. It is the third largest outdoor event in Boston, alongside the 4th of July and Boston Marathon.
Proven Search Consultants
Founded in 1996, TurnkeyZRG is a specialized talent recruitment/executive search firm filling C-level, senior-level and mid-management-level positions throughout sports, media and entertainment. Over the past 25 years, the firm has filled more than 1,400 positions. TurnkeyZRG helps teams, leagues, stadiums, arenas, theaters, college athletic departments, events, sponsors, agencies, media companies, private equity companies and other clients identify, recruit, and hire the best management talent.
Len Perna is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Turnkey. He has 30-plus years’ experience in the sports and entertainment industry, with senior-level management experience in sales, event marketing and management, sponsorships, venue feasibility and development, facility operations, licensing, and legal affairs. Since founding Turnkey, Mr. Perna has managed over 1,400 executive searches.
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TurnkeyZRG recently helped to recruit Tim Pernetti as the second commissioner of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) in April 2024, replacing Mike Aresco, who was retiring. TurnkeyZRG conducted a comprehensive and inclusive recruitment process that delivered a diverse slate of potential candidates from within collegiate athletics, professional sports, media, business, and more.
“Tim Pernetti is the ideal leader to guide the American Athletic Conference through this pivotal time in college athletics,” said Philp Rogers, chair of the search committee and chancellor of East Carolina University. “His perspective as a successful student-athlete, a respected and progressive director of athletics, and his demonstrated leadership, innovation, competitive spirit, and business acumen across a number of professional organizations make him uniquely suited to build on the success of Mike Aresco and steer the conference to a bright future.”
Related: TurnkeyZRG Assists Big Ten Conference in Recruiting Seventh Commissioner
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
