The Miss America Organization announced today its new leadership team and the exit of Miss America President Sharon Pearce. Pearce, a nine year veteran of the Miss America Organization was made President of MAO in June 2013, and informed Chairman and CEO Sam Haskell of her desires to resign after the September 2014 Competition to spend more time with her family. Said Haskell in a prepared statement, “Sharon has provided a great service to our organization. Her support of me, the staff, and thousands of young women coast to coast will never be forgotten. We thank Sharon, and we wish her great success in all of her future endeavors.”
“I have been so proud to be part of this incredible organization since 2006 and have had the pleasure of working alongside our Chairman, the Board of Directors as well as our wonderful volunteers across the country and our National Staff. I wish the organization continued success as they prepare to celebrate their 95th anniversary this September,” said Pearce.
Haskell, elevated today to the position of Executive Chairman of the Miss America Organization, will assume Pearce’s responsibilities and maintain his role as CEO.
Lynn Hackerman Weidner has been unanimously ratified to become Chairwoman of the Board. A Former Miss New Jersey, Weidner is the first former Miss America Contestant to hold the position. Weidner was quoted in a prepared statement, “I am humbled and honored to be of service to such a historic organization in it’s 95th year. I am proud to stand with Sam Haskell and my esteemed colleagues to take Miss America to even greater heights.” Weidner will be supported by Washington, DC Board members Regina Hopper as First Vice Chairman and Tammy Haddad as Second Vice Chairman. Former ABC Executive and dick clark productions VP Mark Bracco has been chosen as Secretary and Dallas, Texas attorney and businessman Marvin Blum has been appointed as Treasurer.
Joining the Organization as Chief Operating Officer will be Josh Randle, out-going National Executive Director for The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award USA in DC. Randle has also served as a volunteer Trustee of the Miss America Foundation for the past two years. Marc Angeli will continue in his role as Vice President of the MAO.
In addition to Bracco, dick clark productions COO & CFO Amy Thurlow was also unanimously appointed to the MAO Board of Directors.
“The Miss America Organization is back in ways that we only dreamed of when I joined the organization ten years ago,” said Haskell. “Through our hard work and our relationship with Allen Shapiro and Mike Mahan at dick clark productions, the Miss America Organization is in a stronger position than ever before to help young women across this great nation of ours to fulfill their dreams. Now, watch us fly!”