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For more than 40 years, Little League International has expanded and thrived under the dedicated leadership of Stephen D. Keener, who announced that he will retire as President and Chief Executive Officer on December 31, 2024.
Since that announcement, the Nominating Committee of the Little League International Board of Directors has been actively focused on the search to find the next leader, who will chart the future of the organization. The Board had several goals for the leadership successor: 1) an individual who values the tradition of Little League, balanced with innovation and grassroots engagement; 2) a leader who can perform at an exceptionally high level, guiding an experienced team to accelerate the momentum of growth; and 3) a visionary who can navigate the complexities of the youth sports landscape to reinforce the organization's esteemed leadership position into the future.
On behalf of the Little League International Board of Directors, I am pleased to share with you that on Wednesday, May 29, we appointed Patrick Wilson as the organization's next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2025.
During his tenure, Pat has been essential in building the Little League organization that we know today. He has forged deep relationships with key stakeholders, including those dedicated community volunteers and partners; he has passionately focused his efforts to expand the program internationally; he has created access and opportunity through programing and grant support to underserved communities; and, among his many other achievements, he has implemented research-backed programmatic and operational changes to improve the safety and quality of play for young athletes.
Pat has ascended through the ranks, holding key operational and organizational leadership roles during his tenure, including that of Tournament Director of the Little League International Tournament, including the Little League Baseball World Series. Named Chief Operating Officer in 2020, Pat has led the global team, a role in which he led the development of the organization's current strategic plan, focused on access, experience, and retention, and he led the thoughtful expansion of the Little League World Series tournaments to provide more opportunity for domestic and international baseball and softball programs to participate. Deeply committed to the organization and its values of inclusion, integrity, community, teamwork, and fun, Pat is a steadfast leader that believes in the mission of Little League and its continued relevance in shaping the lives of millions of children worldwide.
As our staff and volunteers embark on the 2024 Little League International Tournament season, culminating in our World Series tournaments, the Board of Directors is confident that this summer will be one to remember. We look forward to celebrating Steve's accomplishments throughout 2024 and are excited to continue to support the future success of this organization under the exemplary leadership of Pat Wilson for the years to come.
"Over my years at Little League, I’ve had the opportunity to work with really great people - both our professional staff and our volunteers - and see their dedication bring our program to life around the world. Some of the relationships that I have been able to develop, including the personal relationships, is what I’m very proud of. Steve’s presence in my career is something I’m grateful for and that has had a lasting impact on me. I am looking forward to continuing to lead Little League's evolution to tangibility bring our values to life - community, fun, inclusion, integrity, and teamwork - and really live them as an entire organization in 2025 and beyond,” said Pat Wilson.
Pat Wilson Bio: https://www.littleleague.org/downloads/official-little-league-biography-pat-wilson/