CONCACAF hires firms in seeking general secretary, compliance officer

CONCACAF, the regional soccer confederation that is trying to clean up its image in the wake of the FIFA scandal, has hired two executive search firms to select a new general secretary and chief legal/compliance officer, SI.com has learned.

CONCACAF, the regional soccer confederation that is trying to clean up its image in the wake of the FIFA scandal, has hired two executive search firms to select a new general secretary and chief legal/compliance officer, SI.com has learned.

The firm Korn Ferry is in charge of the search for a new general secretary, while Major, Lindsey & Africa will lead the search for a chief legal/compliance officer.

The general secretary is in charge of day-to-day operations for the confederation. The last (non-interim) CONCACAF general secretary was Enrique Sanz, who was fired after being named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the ongoing U.S. Department of Justice investigation. His predecessor, Chuck Blazer, pleaded guilty in the U.S. probe to 10 counts of racketeering, wire fraud, money laundering and tax evasion.

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One candidate for CONCACAF general secretary is likely to be Jurgen Mainka, the current deputy general secretary, who recently emceed the Copa América Centenario draw. Mainka has worked in the past as the head communications officer for several MLS teams and the U.S.’s bid to host World Cup 2022. It’s possible, though, that the search committee will recommend someone from outside the CONCACAF organization.

CONCACAF will also elect a new president in May. The candidates are Victor Montagliani (Canada), Larry Mussenden (Bermuda), Mark Rodríguez (Guyana) and Gordon Derrick (Antigua and Barbuda).

Three recent CONCACAF presidents—Jack Warner, Jeffrey Webb and Alfredo Hawit—have been indicted in the U.S. investigation. Webb and Hawit have pleaded not guilty. Warner has denied wrongdoing and is fighting extradition from Trinidad and Tobago.

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CONCACAF passed a significant reform package at its most recent meeting on February 25. The organization says it wants to hire chief officers with impeccable reputations for integrity and ethics.