Mayor Jones Announces New CEO for Richmond 2015

Mayor Dwight C. Jones announced today that the Board of Directors of Richmond 2015, the organization that will produce the 2015 Road World Cycling Championships, has appointed Wilson H. Flohr, Jr., as its Chief Executive Officer.

Richmond 2015 is Co-chaired by Mayor Jones and Thomas Farrell, the Chairman and CEO of Dominion Resources.

  

In making the announcement on behalf of the 2015 Board, Mayor Jones said, “Wilson’s experience as a tourism leader and business executive makes him ideally suited for this important role in our community.” “Wilson will bring the leadership and focus that we need as we prepare for Richmond to be on the international stage in 2015,” he added.

Mr. Farrell said, “Wilson has demonstrated his abilities in a similar role with Richmond Region 2007, where corporate and community financial support was critical for its success.”  He added that “Richmond 2015 will be an even larger event where major local and national sponsorships will be required.” “With studies showing a potential economic impact of $135 million, this will truly be a transformational event for our region and state.”

Mr. Flohr was formerly Vice President and General Manager of Kings Dominion for 15 years.  He was the CEO of Richmond Region 2007, heading the commemoration and celebration of the Richmond Region’s 400th anniversary.  This initiative produced seven major events including the first James River Adventure Games, and provided the funding for the National Folk Festival, which has become the Richmond Folk Festival.  Additional events included the African American Trail Blazers Awards program and the Godspeed Tall Ship Sail at the Intermediate Terminal.

Mr. Flohr will take over from Jack Berry, Executive Director of Venture Richmond, who served for the past six weeks as the Interim CEO during the organization phase.

Last month, the board engaged Medalist Sports, an Atlanta-based firm that produces the Tour of California, to manage the event.

Medalist Sports is an international sports management company with experience over the last 20 years planning, promoting and managing events such as the Tour DuPont, Goodwill games, Tour of China, USA Cycling Professional Championships, Amgen Tour of California, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s LIVESTRONG Challenge Series.

Benedetti & Farris, a local fundraising and events firm, has been retained to develop the fundraising plan, which will rely largely on national sponsorships and corporate contributions to fund the $25 million event.

Tim Miller, who developed and managed the former CapTech Classic Cycling event, is the organization’s Chief Operating Officer. 

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Road World Championships were awarded to Richmond on September 21, 2011.  The event is expected to generate 450,000 on-site spectators and a worldwide television audience of 300 million viewers.