FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts: Meredith McClure, U.S. Soccer Foundation
202.872.6662
mmcclure@ussoccerfoundation.org
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the United States, today announced that the Foundation’s Board of Directors has elected Ed Foster-Simeon to serve as president of the Foundation, effective June 16, 2008. Foster-Simeon succeeds John Koskinen, who has held the position since April, 2004.
With more than two decades of management experience in challenging, fast-paced, environments, Foster-Simeon joins the Foundation from USA TODAY where he served as Deputy Managing Editor since 1999. During this period, he led efforts to identify and hire the talent needed for merged online and print operations, organized and directed coverage of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and led teams of editors and reporters from a wide range of disciplines.
“The U.S. Soccer Foundation is very fortunate that an executive of Ed’s caliber and experience is willing to assume responsibility for management of the Foundation” said Brad Hays, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “John Koskinen has helped focus the Foundation’s efforts on expanding the opportunities of those in economically disadvantaged areas to play the game of soccer. Ed is uniquely qualified to lead the Foundation to even higher levels of performance.”
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Chairman Hays and the U.S. Soccer Foundation Board of Directors in support of soccer in the United States,” said Foster-Simeon. “The Foundation’s focus on providing grants to programs serving young people in our inner cities is particularly exciting and rich with opportunities.”
Foster-Simeon brings with him a wealth of experience at all levels of the soccer industry and has been an active member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors for the past four years where he served on several committees, including the Executive Committee. At the grassroots level, Foster-Simeon is a former Vice President of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association and past president of Prince William Soccer, Inc. – a 3,000 player recreational and travel club.
Foster-Simeon was named USA TODAY Staffer of the Year for his work as Chair of the USA TODAY Page One Task Force which resulted in significant organizational and content improvements. Additionally, he developed and implemented the Journalist Safety Program for staff members working in war zones and other hostile environments. As a member of the Gannett Leadership & Diversity Council, he assisted in shaping corporate policy and direction.
He began his career at USA TODAY in 1993 as an assignment editor. Prior to his appointment at USA TODAY he worked as the Metropolitan Editor for The Washington Times. Under his leadership, The Washington Times was consistently recognized for superior local coverage. In his early career, Foster-Simeon worked as a U.S. Navy Journalist and Senior Writer at All Hands Magazine, the Navy’s flagship publication based in Washington, D.C.
Foster-Simeon has four children and currently resides in Woodbridge, VA with his wife Wendy.
About the U.S. Soccer Foundation
The U.S. Soccer Foundation was established in 1994 to manage the surplus funds generated by the 1994 FIFA World Cup held in the United States. As the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the U.S., the Foundation has invested more than $48 million in the game, supporting hundreds of projects in every state in the country. The Foundation provides grants focused on developing players, coaches and referees and building or enhancing fields and soccer complexes, with a special emphasis on youth in economically disadvantaged urban communities. For more information, or to donate online, please visit ussoccerfoundation.org.
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