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Unanimous choice USOC tabs former Maytag chairman as new CEO
CHICAGO (AP) -- The U.S. Olympic Committee is going with an outsider again, picking former Maytag appliances chairman Lloyd Ward as its new chief executive officer. Ward, the unanimous choice Sunday of the USOC's executive committee, will begin work Nov. 1 at the Olympic House in Colorado Springs, Colo. "Lloyd has great charisma, is an excellent speaker and understands marketing," USOC president Sandra Baldwin said. "He will bring the USOC not only charismatic leadership, but a great sense of being able to elevate the organization to the next level." Ward is the permanent replacement for corporate turnaround artist Norm Blake, who resigned under pressure in October 2000, after just nine months on the job. Blake, the USOC's first CEO, angered many with his sweeping staff cuts and controversial funding reform plan, and critics said his management techniques were better suited to the business world than athletics. Scott Blackmun, who joined the USOC in 1999, has been the interim CEO since then. He's been credited by many with soothing conflicts sparked during Blake's tenure between the USOC and the national bodies that run individual sports, and easing tensions among the committee's staff. Ward, a former captain of the Michigan State basketball team, seemed to impress the executive committee with his enthusiasm and energy. Instead of coming into the interview with simple notes and thoughts, he brought his laptop computer and gave a presentation. Ward will be the first African-American to lead the USOC, but Baldwin said that wasn't a consideration. "I believe the executive committee was trying to pick the best possible candidate, yet we know we always look for diversity," she said. The USOC has 500-plus staff members. Ward will take over just three months before the Salt Lake City Olympics. Ward joined Maytag in 1996 and was the company's chairman and CEO for 15 months before leaving last November. He then served as chairman and CEO of iMotors.com in San Francisco until July. Before going to Maytag, Ward was an executive with Pepsico, serving as president of Frito-Lay Inc.'s central division from 1992-96. He was named executive of the year by Black Enterprise Magazine in 1995. He has also served on the board of directors for General Motors, J.P. Morgan Chase and Company and the Belo Corp.
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