Executive director

George Linley

Prior to becoming the Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, George served as an Event Manager responsible for bringing a variety of sports events to Palm Beach County to promote a positive economic impact to area hotels, sports facilities, and local businesses.  George managed the Sports Commission’s event operations department, grant program, and several special events.  George was responsible for producing and executing events, developing and managing event budgets, and planning organizational strategies, goals, and performance measures.  George has successfully structured a strong assortment of profit sharing partnerships with various national governing bodies and event owners. 

George’s tenure at the Palm Beach County Sports Commission began in May of 2003.  Previous to the Sports Commission, George was a Marketing Sales Executive for Roger Dean Stadium, a $28 million sports complex specially designed to house two Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. George assisted with the marketing and promotions for the Major League Baseball Spring Training and Florida State League baseball seasons.  George conceptualized, created, and sold advertising and sponsorship packages to a variety of national companies. 

George is a Palm Beach County native.  He graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic College in 1998, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.  In 2003, George received a Masters of Business Administration with a track in Sports Management from Florida Atlantic University. 

Contact George at (561) 233-3123 or glinley@palmbeachsports.com  

Director of Event operations

Kris Pursell

Kris has over 23 years of experience in the fields of event development, facility management, corporate hospitality and sales.  As the Event Manager for Commission events, she is the staff coordinator for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place Kicking Awards Banquet.   She previously held the position of Director of Expo Development at the South Florida Expo Center booking major events such as Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction, dmg Home & Garden Show, Disney on Ice, Ringling Bros., Cloverleaf Volleyball Tournament, Palm Beach County Boat Show and Our Kids World Expo.  Kris is a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Illinois with a bachelor's degree in business administration.

Contact Kris at (561) 233-3124 or kpursell@palmbeachsports.com

Director of Marketing
& Business Development

Kayla French

Kayla comes to the Palm Beach County Sports Commission with over 20 years of marketing and business development experience. Previously as the West Palm Beach Regional Marketing Director for Comcast Cable, she was responsible for planning and executing all of the integrated multimedia marketing campaigns. Prior to Comcast, Kayla spent 10 years with Olympia Entertainment and the Detroit Tigers Organization as Director of Corporate Marketing, and Merchandising. Kayla received her BA and MBA from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. 

Contact Kayla at (561) 233-3122 or kfrench@palmbeachsports.com

Sports Event Coordinator

Daniel Smith

Daniel is responsible for many tasks within the Palm Beach County Sports Commission including but not limited to: event operations, assisting with the management of the Sports Commission's grant program, bidding on new events, and assisting event owners with all of their various needs. Prior to joining the Sports Commission, Daniel spent two years managing the media relations efforts of Roger Dean Stadium. Daniel is a graduate of New York University with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication, and received an MBA from Florida Atlantic University. 

Contact Daniel at (561) 233-3120 or dsmith@palmbeachsports.com

director of finance, managment,
& budgets

Edward Holland

Ed Holland has in excess of thirty years of financial management and tax experience in the construction, public accounting, and manufacturing industries.  A Palm Beach County resident since 1982, Ed has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Drake University and a MBA from the University of Arizona.

Contact Ed at (561) 233-3183 or eholland@palmbeachsports.com

administration services manager

Michelle "Missy" Gard

Missy began her career in the banking industry in 1987. For the last 15 years prior to joining the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, Missy  was  with Enterprise National Bank where she held various progressive positions including Branch Manager, Call Center and Training Manager, Security Officer, Board of Director’s Secretary, Marketing Director and Human Resource Manager.

Contact Missy at (561) 233-3121 or mgard@palmbeachsports.com

Finance & Management Assistant

Janet Richmond

Prior to joining the Sports Commission, Janet worked for the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau as an Administrative Coordinator for two managers, as well as handled tradeshows for the Groups and Meetings Department. Previous to that she worked at a Collection Agency for fifteen years where her job responsibilities included bookkeeping, sales, and collections.

Contact Janet at (561) 233-3184 or jrichmond@palmbeachsports.com

Marketing & Communications Manager

Scott Glinski

Scott, originally born in Michigan moved to West Palm Beach to attend Northwood University.  He graduated with a Bachlelors Degree in Business Administration in the specified field of entertainment, sports, and promotion management in May of 2009. Scott now oversees several different marketing responsibilities such as advertising, in-house graphic design, website content and other promotional materials.

Contact Scott at (561) 233-3182 or sglinski@palmbeachsports.com