International esports body the Global Esports Federation (GEF) has unveiled its new executive team, with multiple personnel undergoing role changes.
The announcement is a part of several key updates that GEF is making to its organisational structure to achieve its ‘GEF 5.0’ strategy for the 2024-2028 period.
Each member of the executive team will lead across a strategic GEF division. The new executives include Rustam Aghasiyev (Chief of Staff), Mark Chay (Chief Development Officer), Mario Cilenti (Chief Operating Officer), Eric F. Brinkley (Executive Director, Programs and Content), and Thanos Karagrounas (Chief Impact Officer).
The appointed members have previously held other roles within the federation. Moreover, the executive team includes those with experience in both sports and esports. This includes individuals who have previously worked for the likes of the International Olympic Committee (Karagrounas), the Singapore Swimming Association (Chay) and ESL (Brinkley).
GEF’s new 5.0 initiative focuses on wide-scale innovation in areas such as portfolio development, commercial growth, and strategic partnerships. The strategy was introduced at the end of 2023 and aims to better leverage the potential of esports as a medium and further support its development globally.
The GEF is an international esports governing body founded in 2019. The body’s core goal is to promote the credibility and legitimacy of esports through strategic partnerships and an inclusive and healthy esports ecosystem. The GEF also hosts the Global Esports Games, an annual esports tournament held in December.
Throughout 2023, the GEF has undergone numerous developments. The organisation expanded its global reach with the launch of the Oceania Esports Federation and the Europe Esports Development Federation.
Moreover, the GEF signed agreements with the International Esports Federation and the Azerbaijan Esports Federation to enter joint esports growth initiatives.
Global Esports Federation‘s CEO Paul J. Foster commented on the organisation’s new executive team: “With innovation comes change, and we believe these strategic appointments will respond to the evolving expectations of our #worldconnected community. The collective ability of our teams to innovate, build, and grow inspires me every day, and we look forward to shaping this next chapter, together.”
