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 email

Event Manager

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 email

Event Coordinator

Norm Christensen

Norm joined the Sports Commission in April of 2010 as an Event Coordinator. His career in sports began working in the ticket office of the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, MN. before earning a degree in sports management from St. Cloud State University. He then moved south to Florida to become Operations Manager at Roger Dean Stadium overseeing venue operations during Spring Training for the Marlins and Cardinals and the Florida State League Jupiter Hammerheads. He also supervised events including USA baseball and Perfect Game’s World Wood Bat Championship at Roger Dean Stadium.   Eventually, he became an Operations Supervisor at the Colorado Springs World Arena, the home practice rink of the USA short-track speed skating team and the home arena of Division I hockey’s Colorado College Tigers. 

Contact Norm at (561) 233-3178 or email

Director of Marketing & Business Development

Kimberly Whetsel

Kimberly joined the Sports Commission in April 2010 as the Director of Marketing and Business Development following nearly nine years at the Florida Sports Foundation. Her experiences at the Foundation bring familiarity from within the industry where she had the opportunity to work with the 20+ Sports Commissions throughout the state, in addition to State and National Governing Bodies. Kimberly oversaw major events such as Florida’s Sunshine State Games and the Florida Senior Games State Championships, servicing over 25,000 amateur athletes on an annual basis. During her tenure, she held three different Event Coordinator positions and served as the Assistant Director of Marketing, as well as the Assistant Director of Amateur Sports. This background encompasses event management, budget development, marketing, facility management and hospitality. Previous experience also includes Tampa Bay Rays, BUY.COM Tour and the Gainesville Sports Commission. Kimberly received a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Parks and Tourism; specializing in Event Planning from the University of Florida.

Contact Kimberly at (561) 233-3122 or email

Accounting Manager

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 email

Executive Assistant

Missy Gard

Missy is Executive Assistant to George Linley. Missy began her career in the banking industry in 1987. For the last 15 years prior to joining Palm Beach Sports, 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 email

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 email

IT & Event Specialist

Scott Glinski

Scott, originally an intern for the Sports Commission, is now in charge of all computer network and software applications. Born in Michigan, Scott moved to West Palm Beach to attend Northwood University.  Scott graduated with a Bachlelors Degree in Business Administration in the specified field of entertainment, sports, and promotion management in May 2009. 

Contact Scott at (561) 233-3182 or email

Administrative Assistant

Frances Wojyn

Fran has over 20 years experience working for such companies as General Tire & Rubber, AT&T, Pratt & Whitney, Lenzar Electro Optics and Workforce Alliance. Most recently Fran worked part time at Ibis as Membership Assistant, and Human Resoure Specialist at Goodwill. Fran assists the Executive Assistant and Executive Director.

Contact Fran at (561) 233-3172 or email