04/30/2013, 10:30am PDT
By CIM

Top sports administrator with strong business record focuses on managing top events, promoting running

April 30, 2013
For immediate release

Ellen Moore, a successful sports administrator with a strong background in business operations and non-profit work, has been selected as the Sacramento Running Association’s new executive director.

Moore, who worked as Commissioner of the Pacific Coast Softball Conference and the Western Water Polo Association and as Director of Championships for the West Coast Conference, spent the last 2 ½ years handling creative services and event management for the SRA.

She replaces John Mansoor, who leaves his post after a 31-year run. Mansoor, who helped found SRA and its marquee event, the California International Marathon, is stepping down to focus on his duties as the Executive Director for USA Track & Field’s Pacific Association.

Michelle La Sala, a race director for the Sacramento Running Association, takes over as Director of Race Operations for SRA and will serve as race director for the CIM.  Kevin Pool, an SRA event manager who oversees the organization’s Elite Team, assumes duties as the SRA’s Director of Technical Operations.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Ellen agree to become the executive director of SRA,” said Steve Polansky, president of the SRA Board of Directors. “Not only has she worked closely with all aspects of the SRA for the past three years, but Ellen brings a large body of experience in sports administration and business operations.

“Ellen has shown the ability to make immediate and significant contributions at every stop along her career path. With her unique skill set and specific experience in leading several non-profit organizations, we are confident that Ellen is the right person to guide us forward and is committed to deliver on the missions of the association: to manage world-class running events in the Sacramento area and to encourage people of all ages to develop a healthy lifestyle through running.”

Polansky also saluted Mansoor for his efforts in guiding the SRA. Under Mansoor’s watch, the SRA developed into a first-class community-based running association and the CIM grew into a highly successful event and a popular race to earn a Boston Marathon qualifying time.

“John, and a few other dedicated Sacramento and Folsom community leaders, had a vision in 1983 to create a world-class marathon,” Polansky said. “Thanks to John, that event has grown to the 12th-largest marathon in the US and one that is widely recognized as one of the most well organized road races in the country.

“We are grateful for the leadership and direction John has provided and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Mansoor said he felt good about the Sacramento Running Association’s achievements and its future.

“If this were a marathon and each year was a mile, after 31 years someone forgot to tell Forrest (Gump) to stop,” he said. “I feel good about what we have accomplished over those years and know the event and organization are in good hands going forward.”

Moore served as chief operating, financial and administrative officer for the Pacific Coast Softball Conference and the Western Water Polo Association. She was also responsible for championship event management, sport oversight, program administration and NCAA representation for the West Coast Conference, successfully negotiating a contract with Orleans Arena to bring the WCC Basketball Championships to Las Vegas in 2009.

A former captain for Georgia Tech’s softball team, she also served as Programs and Project Coordinator for San Jose State University.

Moore joined SRA in October of 2010 and has been responsible for event and association web sites, graphic design, event programs and marketing. She also coordinated the SRA’s first Hall of Fame and Annual Achievement Awards banquet.

“I am extremely humbled by the opportunity to become the new Executive Director of the Sacramento Running Association,” Moore said. “I want to thank Dr. Steve Polansky  and the SRA Board of Directors for the opportunity and support, I want to thank John Mansoor for providing tremendous leadership for the last 31 years and I want to thank all of the SRA staff and volunteers that make this organization viable.

“I am excited about the future and look forward to working with our staff, board and community in an effort to deliver on the mission of the association.”

Moore, who earned a Master of Arts degree in Sports Management from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia Tech, will provide general oversight, set strategy, organize long-term planning and oversee business and general operations.

A northern California native, she lives in Land Park with her husband and two children.

La Sala, who ran for Christian Brothers High School and the University of Portland, joined the SRA in 2009 and serves as race director for the Credit Union SACTOWN Ten-Mile Run and the Super Bowl Sunday 10K Run. She also worked as Operations Manager for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in 2008 and as Charity Teams Coordinator for the New York City Marathon in 2005.

“I am thrilled to move forward with the SRA as the new race director of the California International Marathon,” said La Sala, a six-time Boston Marathon finisher with a 3:03:14 personal best set two weeks ago.

“I look forward to collaborating with our board and staff on how to make the CIM the best it can be without compromising any of the qualities we know our runners desire and depend on to have the best experience possible.”

Pool joined the SRA in 2010, working as an event and program manager and as course technical director and relay director for the CIM. He is a former head cross country coach at Thiel College and placed 18th in the Boston Marathon two weeks ago with a personal-best of 2:18:19.

“I am very excited to accept the director of technical operations position,” he said. “The race (CIM) has earned a reputation for providing a top-notch experience for the runners, and we will continue to enhance that experience in the future.

“I have competed in hundreds of road races in addition to working on road-race production, so I am in tune with the details that influence the runner’s experience.”

The Sacramento Running Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding ways to encourage people of all ages and abilities to run. The SRA is committed to developing new, quality running events that appeal to a broad variety of runners.

SRA events include the recent Credit Union SACTOWN Ten-Mile Run, the Gold Rush 100k on May 11, the Folsom Blues Breakout Half Marathon on Oct. 19, the California International Marathon on Dec. 8 and the Super Bowl Sunday 10k Run on Feb. 2.

SRA beneficiaries include the American River Parkway, youth fitness programs, local running venues and aspiring young runners.