Athletics Ontario’s Managing Director Resigns, Interim Executive Director Named

TORONTO, ONTARIO, December 15, 2014 — Athletics Ontario’s (AO) Board of Directors wishes to announce that John Craig has resigned as Managing Director, effective December 31, 2014, after thirty one years with the Provincial Sports Organization.

Mr. Craig, who started with the Association as a Road and Recreation Coordinator in 1983, when it was then called the Ontario Track and Field Association, has held various positions within the organization and has been responsible for a number of new initiatives. During his tenure he was, among other things, the Manager of Marketing and Administration, the Race Director for the Toronto Marathon and the Executive Meet Director for the Toronto International Track and Field Games.

"We are going to miss his dedication and perspective", said AO Chair Lisa Ferdinand. "He has provided our organization and our sport with energy and insight and has guided us with a steady hand".

"I am leaving at a time when the organization is ready for a change," said Craig. "With the Pan and Para Pan Am Games next summer and some rethinking of our governance model, I believe new stewardship will be important for the Association as it looks to optimize program delivery."

With the announcement of AO’s new organizational structure, the Board wishes to announce that Sue Wise, AO’s High Performance Manager, will serve as interim Executive Director while the Board conducts a search for the Executive Director.

Mr. Craig will join the Pan Am and Para Pan Am Games organization in January 2015.

About Athletics Ontario

Athletics Ontario (www.athleticsontario.ca) is Ontario’s not-for-profit sport’s governing body for athletics, which encompasses track and field, road running, cross country, and race walking. With a goal of making athletics one of the province’s top tier sports, this athlete-centred, volunteer-based, and club-and-community driven association’s mission is to develop, promote, and ensure the competent delivery of athletics programs and competitions.

As part of the 2014 Board Governance Review, the Program & Services Committee has been working with the staff and others to quantify the quality, reach, cost and effectiveness of Athletics Ontario’s Programs and Services.

Please take twenty minutes to think and add your scores to our survey at the following link:

• https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DTXTJHJ

Your input will be invaluable in validating the effectiveness and ultimately the importance of each of AO’s current Programs & Services.

John Stevenson
Chair, AO Programs & Services Committee
Athletics Ontario