The United States Olympic Committee announced Jeff Howard (Dayton, Ohio) is returning to the organization as director of corporate communications. Howard will begin his new duties with the USOC on November 8 after serving as managing director of media and public relations for the National Collegiate Athletic Association since January 2003.
As Director of Corporate Communications, Howard will oversee the communications needs for key USOC event properties such as the Titan Games, the Pacific Rim Series and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. He will also be responsible for the USOC's media training program for U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches and delegation personnel, and will oversee the development and implementation of the USOC's National Anti-Doping Education Program. Additionally, Howard will provide communication support to the divisions of Development, Entertainment Properties and Event Properties.
"Jeff is an exceptional professional with a passion for the Olympic movement and we are delighted to have him return to the USOC,” said Darryl Seibel, USOC chief of communications. "Jeff is an outstanding addition to our organization and will play an important role in helping us to continue to support the National Governing Bodies, their athletes and the media," added Seibel.
Howard returns to the USOC Media and Public Relations Division after working with the NCAA since March 2003 where he played a key role in directing the organization's issues management platform, which involves crisis communication. Leading the media and public relations team for the NCAA, he oversaw the association's responses to complex issues and managed organizational outreach programs such as the NCAA's Recruiting Task Force and Sports Wagering Task Force.
During his first stint with the USOC, which began in 1999, Howard was the Associate Director of Media and Public Relations. He was a part of the USOC's Media Services staff for the 2000 and 2002 Olympic Games, and served as press chief for the United States teams at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia, and the 2001 World University Games in Beijing, China. In 2001, he was selected to attend the International Olympic Academy in Olympia, Greece, and was invited to return to the IOA in 2002 as a member of the Academy staff. Most recently, Howard served as a USOC Media Services volunteer in Athens, Greece, during the 2004 Olympic Games.
"I am excited about the opportunity to return to the Olympic movement and to one of the world's premiere sports organizations," Howard commented. "The USOC continues to excel in all aspects of its mission and I look forward to working with the leadership team that is dedicated to taking the USOC to the next level."
Earlier in his career, Howard was the assistant athletics director for public relations at the University of Denver. He was the primary contact for the men's and women's basketball programs, while overseeing all aspects of media relations for the Division of Athletics, Recreation and Wellness, which included the University's move to Division I and the building of the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness. Howard was also responsible for the athletics web site, as well as all radio and television production.
Howard began his public relations career as a media relations assistant with the Denver Broncos, where he served as an advance official and team spokesperson. He also headed the publications efforts for the team, producing the annual media guide and gameday magazines. Howard left the Bronco's organization in 1995 to become the first sports producer for KWGN-TV in Denver, overseeing a daily
15-minute sportscast.
Prior to his graduation from Metropolitan State College with a degree in sports information and broadcasting, Howard interned for KOA Radio, KNUS Radio, the Denver Broncos, and worked part-time as writer/production assistant for KCNC-TV.
For more information, please contact the USOC Media and Public Relations Division at (719) 866-4529. This release is also available on the USOC's media web site at http://usocpressbox.org.