MICHAEL LOYND TAKES OVER AS BOARD CHAIR AFTER MARK LOMBARDI’S SIX-YEAR RUN IN THE ROLE
ST. LOUIS – January 19, 2024 – St. Louis area businessman, attorney, and author Michael Loynd is the new chair of the St. Louis Sports Commission. Loynd took over the volunteer role on Jan. 1, succeeding Maryville University President Mark Lombardi, who chaired the nonprofit organization for the past six years.
Loynd joined the Sports Commission’s board in 2018. He served as the organization’s vice chair from 2022 to 2023 and has been a significant contributor to the organization’s accomplishments. As chair of the Sports Commission’s Olympic Legacy Project, Loynd played an instrumental role in St. Louis securing permission from the IOC and USOPC to display the Olympic rings locally, including at Washington University (where the 1904 Games took place), and rename Francis Field to Francis Olympic Field – all recognizing the region’s role in the Olympic movement.
A graduate of the Washington University School of Law, Loynd manages the Interco Charitable Trust and is co-owner of St. Louis Transportation. He is also the bestselling author of All Things Irish, and Random House’s award-winning nonfiction book The Watermen, about Charles Daniels and the rise of USA Swimming. Loynd cares deeply about the St. Louis region and has long been engaged civically. In addition to the Sports Commission, he serves on several local boards, including Greater St. Louis, Inc., Forest Park Forever, and The Muny.
“I am humbled by this opportunity to lead such a tremendous organization and follow in the footsteps of some inspiring leaders who have chaired the Sports Commission,” said Loynd. “At the same time, I’m motivated and buoyed by the amazing support the Sports Commission receives, the outstanding work of the staff, and the impact the organization has and can have on the growth and health of this region through the undeniable power of sports. I’m charged up and excited for the future.”
During his tenure as Sports Commission board chair from 2018 through 2023, Lombardi presided over a successful period that saw the Sports Commission host such events as the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament, NCAA Wrestling Championships, U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials, and Mizzou Football; and be connected to the PGA Championship, NHL All-Star Game, and the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300. He oversaw the organization’s leadership transition from longtime President Frank Viverito to successor Marc Schreiber, and importantly, deftly steered the Sports Commission through the COVID-19 pandemic. His crowning contribution is the growth and national ascendency of the Musial Awards. Under his leadership, CBS Sports became the official television partner of the Musial Awards, and the event has aired nationally on the CBS Television Network since 2019. In the Sports Commission’s 35 years, only Dave Peacock served as chair as long as Lombardi.
Lombardi will remain on the Sports Commission’s board of directors and its executive committee, as well as continue his active involvement with the Musial Awards.
“The Sports Commission will be forever grateful to Mark Lombardi for his strong and steady leadership, his vision, generosity, and unwavering support – not to mention the impact he had in helping us build the Musial Awards into a world-class production with national reach,” said Sports Commission President Marc Schreiber. “We are extremely fortunate to be transitioning from one exceptional leader to another, as Mike Loynd brings an unparalleled passion and drive in his stewardship of our organization. We greatly appreciate his dedication and support, and the tremendous backing we receive from all our board directors, partners, and members.”
The Sports Commission is also adding several regional business and civic leaders to its volunteer board of directors in 2024. Incoming directors include:
- Randy Bueckendorf – BEX Construction Services President
- Jeff Ciaramita – Mercy President, Specialty Service Lines
- Monet Cintron – St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Chief of Staff
- Linda Eigelberger – Midas Hospitality Chief Commercial Officer & Principal
- Carrie Hanichak – Maritz Vice President, Corporate Strategy
- John Jennings – St. Louis Trust & Family Office President & Chief Strategist
- Scott Nieberle – HBM Holdings Vice President, Strategy & Corporate Development
- Angel Recci – Telemundo St. Louis Market Manager
- Martin Resch – Cass Information Systems President & CEO
In addition to the new directors and new chair, the Sports Commission board re-elected Joe Ambrose (vice chairman of First Bank) as treasurer, and Ryan Davis (managing partner of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner) as secretary.
To see a list of the organization’s entire board of directors, visit stlsports.org/board.
Established in 1989, the St. Louis Sports Commission is an independent, privately funded non-profit 501(c)(6) organization with an affiliated charitable 501(c)(3) St. Louis Sports Foundation. The organization seeks to use the power of sports to enhance the region’s quality of life and generate economic and social benefit for St. Louis.