Los Angeles 2024 announced that former Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree”) Managing Director Jim Ford has been hired as Senior Adviser for Strategic Partnerships, which the bid committee says adds significant financial expertise to the committee in its bid for the 2024 Summer Games.
Ford will work closely with L.A. 2024 Chairman Casey Wasserman and CEO Gene Sykes to develop business agreements and oversee L.A. 2024’s partnerships with the City of Angels’ sporting and accommodation venues. and will join L.A. 2024’s Board of Directors.
Ford has spent 20 years at Oaktree, a leading global investment management firm headquartered in L.A., most recently as Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of the Global Principal Group.
L.A. 2024 CEO Gene Sykes said, “we’re very pleased to welcome Jim to our team to oversee our relationships with our city’s world-class sports and accommodation venues, which are uniquely suited to provide the finest experience for athletes, fans and the Olympic Family. Jim’s business acumen and financial experience, along with local knowledge and extensive network as a lifelong Angeleno will be invaluable to us as we put together the best possible bid to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games back to Los Angeles”.
Ford said, “as an enthusiastic supporter of the Olympic Movement and a Los Angeles native, it’s an honour to join this group and contribute my efforts to ensuring that the world’s greatest athletes have the chance to compete at our unique and iconic venues”.
L.A. is competing with rivals Budapest, Paris and Rome to host the Games in 2024. The winner will be chosen September 2017.
