Normal, IL – The Board of Directors of Special Olympics Illinois has named Dave Breen President & CEO of Special Olympics Illinois, effective Aug. 11, 2011. Breen has been Vice President for Area Management of Special Olympics Illinois for the past 13 years, coordinating the programming efforts of the 18 local Special Olympics Illinois Area programs which encompass every county in Illinois.
This announcement was made after the untimely death of President & CEO Doug Snyder Thursday, Aug.11, at Springfield Memorial Medical Center, following a brief illness. Snyder had been scheduled to retire from Special Olympics Illinois on Sept. 1, with Breen originally scheduled to take the helm at that time.
In a communication to the staff in July, Thomas K. Cox, Special Olympics Illinois Chairman of the Board, said: “Dave’s appointment follows an extensive and exhaustive search conducted by a special committee of the Board formed earlier this year following Doug Snyder’s retirement announcement. Dave’s longstanding commitment to the athletes and the Special Olympics Illinois mission, his in-depth knowledge of the Special Olympics Illinois operation and his leadership abilities earned him a unanimous vote of confidence from the Board of Directors.”
Doug Snyder, who had been President & CEO of Special Olympics Illinois for the past 22 years, said in July: “I’d like to add my congratulations to Dave and commend the Board for their thorough national search and ultimate selection of Dave. I know the organization is in good hands and I am confident that under Dave Breen’s leadership, Special Olympics Illinois will continue to grow the quality of the program and the opportunities for the athletes.”
Breen has been dedicated to improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities for nearly 25 years. Prior to joining the state staff of Special Olympics Illinois, he was Area Director for Special Olympics Illinois Northwest Suburban/Area 18 for 10 years in a partnership with Northwest Special Recreation Association.
In addition, Breen has been involved in advisory roles for key national initiatives undertaken by Special Olympics including the MedFest free health screenings and the new Young Athletes Program for children ages 2-7. He also helped plan and implement Project 2000, the expansion of the Special Olympics program into the Chicago Public Schools.
Presently, Dave Breen serves on the Board of Directors of the Bloomington-Normal Sports Commission and the Normal West Diamond Club. He is also a member of the Serve Illinois Commission, a Youth and Travel coach for baseball and basketball, and was a founding member of the James R. Black Scholarship Fund.
Breen is a graduate of Illinois State University, with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Park Administration. He resides in Normal.
About Special Olympics Illinois
Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for nearly 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 6,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics promotes acceptance for all and changes lives by empowering people with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, call 800-394-0562 or visit our website at www.soill.org.