by Larry EderWe were very happy to see that, on July 10, the Boston Athletic Association named Jack Fleming the new COO of the Boston Athletic Association. We held off a bit in congratulating our friend. I am reminded of when my mother held my father’s 40th birthday party two years later, and he said he was truly surprised. Well, Jack, we did not forget about you. We just wanted a good photo (thanks, Marc Davis), and we needed a few quiet moments to write about you.
RunBlogRun has known Jack Fleming for nearly three decades and has seen Mr. Fleming put his heart and soul into making the BAA and the Boston Marathon an iconic event and an example of how marathons should be run. The delicate balace of keeping sponsors happy, keeping city fathers happy, and keeping the running community happy is no mean feat. The Boston Marathon became much more nuanced and complicated after the 2013 Boston Bombing.
Jack Fleming, photo by PhotoRun.net
The BAA has had to judge how to show respect for the fallen, and how to show that the Boston Marathon continues to evolve. RunBlogRun believes that they did a fine job.
Tom Grilk, CEO of the Boston Athletic Associaiton paid Jack Fleming some fine compliments in the press release. Jack Fleming was one of the young stars brough in under the watch of Guy Morse, the Executive Race Director from 1985 to 2012. Jack Fleming possesses a sense of history about the event and realizes that he oversees an event that is held in high regard by most in the running community as the iconic marathon.
We are confident, that with Jack Fleming’s continued enthusiasm, and the fine team that surrounds him at the Boston Athletic Association, the most historic of marathons is in good hands. We think the late Marja Baaker, one of the stalwarts of the Boston Marathon, would be quite happy that Jack Fleming has been recognizied for his hard work and vision.
Congrats, Jack!
B.A.A. Expands Leadership with Appointment of COO
Jack Fleming appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Boston Athletic Association
BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) has appointed Jack Fleming as its Chief Operating Officer. Fleming had been serving as the B.A.A.’s Director of Marketing and Communications. The promotion complements the previous appointment of Tom Grilk as Chief Executive Officer.
“It is the right time for the organization and for Jack to take this step,” said B.A.A. President Joann Flaminio. “Jack has been with the organization since 1991 and has been a key contributor as we have expanded our community reach, added more world-class running events to complement the Marathon, and re-committed ourselves to the development of high performance athletes. What is most impressive about Jack is his knowledge, heart, and passion for the Marathon and the mission of the B.A.A.”
Since joining the B.A.A. in 1991, Fleming has been directly influential in nearly every aspect of the organization’s growth. He has spearheaded the organization’s sponsorship procurement efforts, youth programming development, and communications strategy for nearly three decades. In his new role, Fleming will manage the day-to-day operations of all facets of the race management, athlete development, and community service commitment of the B.A.A.
“The appointment of Jack to this expanded role is something that is not only well deserved, but a prudent step forward as our organization continues to look forward,” said B.A.A. Chief Executive Officer Tom Grilk. “Jack is strongly committed to the three facets of the B.A.A.’s work – servicing our communities, developing high performance athletes, and producing world-class events–and they have all benefitted greatly from that commitment. He has been an integral figure in our development and will be a centerpiece of our future.”
ABOUT THE BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.’s Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock Financial. The Boston Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, along with international marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. More than 60,000 runners will participate in B.A.A. events in 2017. The 122nd Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 16, 2018. For more information on the B.A.A., please visit www.baa.org.
