Pacific Palisades, Calif. (Wednesday, October 22, 2008) – As the defending W-League champion Pali Blues Soccer Club embarks upon its second season of play, the team formally announced Jason Lemire as its new General Manager today. In addition to a background in marketing and the non-profit sector, Lemire brings his experience as an account executive in Major League Soccer (MLS), most recently with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
“I am extremely happy to have found a guy like Jason,” Blues President of Operations and head coach Charlie Naimo commented. “He has all the tools necessary to take us to a new level. Not only does he have a great education and soccer background, he possesses the most important quality—pride in what he does and the work ethic to go along with it. The addition of Jason will be an important piece to having success in other future plans we have in our soccer organization."
After coaching at a number of youth programs, Lemire joined DC United of MLS as a sales executive during its 2004 season, the rookie year of US playmaker Freddy Adu. In 2005, Lemire moved to Los Angeles to serve as the soccer-specific consultant and national grassroots marketing coordinator for The Bristol Bay/Walden Media film The Game of Their Lives. His next stop was with the Los Angeles Galaxy where, as a corporate account executive, he launched a number of unique community initiatives including The Unity Soccer Festival.
“Everyone who works in soccer wants an opportunity to prove they can break the mold and help bring their league and their sport to the next level,” Lemire said. “Joining this organization, to be working with Charlie, the club’s ownership, and a community like the Palisades, is really a dream scenario. I’m hoping our exhibition match at Pali High School on November 12th against China’s Women’s U-20 Team will be an early opportunity for me to meet the community of fans that was so supportive during our inaugural championship season.”
Lemire grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, where he received All-State honors as a goalkeeper for Montclair High School. From Montclair he continued to play for a number of years, eventually receiving his degree from Middlebury College.
The USL W-League played its inaugural season in 1995, and it is recognized as the premiere development league for female players in North America. The season is set to resume in May of 2009.
