Ted Morris

U.S. Speedskating has named Ted Morris as the national governing body’s new executive director. Morris succeeds Mark Greenwald in the post.

Morris previously served as senior vice-president of Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment, where he worked with national governing bodies including the U.S. Figure Skating Association and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, as well as international sports federations. Additionally, Morris has provided high-level marketing consultation to regular Olympic sponsors, including P&G, MetLife, UPS and Kellogg’s.

“I am honored to join U.S. Speedskating during a crucial time period both for the organization and its athletes,” said Morris. “With 85 medals to date, the sport of speedskating is built on a tradition of excellence and incredible athletic achievement. I look forward to not only upholding this legacy, but building upon it in Sochi and in the years to come.”

Prior to joining Van Wagner, Morris was vice-president of sales and marketing at USSA for eight years. In this role, Morris managed the organization’s revenue-generating partnerships that included sponsorships, media sales, television programming and production, marketing and brand initiatives. As part of USSA’s senior management team, Morris developed and executed the sport’s strategic business plan, and led USSA to the most profitable eight-year cycle in the history of the organization.

“We are pleased to welcome Ted to U.S. Speedskating to lead the organization through Sochi and beyond,” said U.S. Speedskating President Mike Plant. “Ted brings a wealth of experience and contacts with him to this position and he has a strong background within the Olympic movement. We are lucky to have found someone of his caliber.”

Before joining USSA, Morris spent seven years with advertising firm BBDO New York, where he rose to vice-president and associated media director handling national TV expenditure for several Fortune 500 companies. Morris is a 1991 graduate of the University of Richmond and currently resides in Park City, Utah.

Greenwald announced in June that he intended to step down from the post before the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. U.S. Speedskating recently adopted a string of reforms after bringing Plant in to help reorganize the NGB’s governance.