By Richard Rhinehart
Holbrook, New York, October 2, 2017 – National nonprofit World T.E.A.M. Sports announced today that Jonathan Brideau has been named as the organization’s Executive Director. He joins CEO and President Van Brinson in the growing organization’s management.
Brideau is a seven-year veteran of Best Buddies International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As Senior Director for Best Buddies Challenges in 2017, Brideau was responsible for event logistics, sponsorship support and media relationships in support of the popular cycling series. His management helped grow the Hyannis Port Challenge from $3.5 million in revenue in 2013 to $6 million in 2017.
“I am excited to come aboard World T.E.A.M Sports as the Executive Director,” said Brideau. “I believe in what this organization stands for and how it changes people’s lives. I was fortunate enough to be invited to ride in the Face of America ride in 2015 as a member of Team Capital One and was immediately moved by the power of this mission. I have been coming back to participate in that event ever since.”
As World T.E.A.M. Sports’ first executive director since 2010, Brideau looks to increasing the organization’s sponsorship and partner support for events like the two-day, 110-mile Face of America inclusive bicycle and hand cycle ride to Gettysburg each April. Having a commanding history in directing major sporting events for adaptive and able-bodied athletes, Brideau believes World T.E.A.M. Sports has a big future in coming years.
“As an avid cyclist working at Best Buddies International over the last seven years, I have become drawn to the power of connecting with individuals while on the bike or taking on a challenge together,” said Brideau. “I plan to focus all of my efforts in growing the organization so that we can continue to create more opportunities to change lives through sports.”
Brinson, who joined World T.E.A.M. Sports in 2010 as COO and was named as CEO and President in October 2013, said Brideau’s professional background will help the non-profit reach and assist additional adaptive athletes throughout the country.
“I am proud to welcome Jon Brideau to the World T.E.A.M. Sports family,” said Brinson. “Jon’s background, experience and enthusiasm render him uniquely qualified to join our team. With his leadership, we will continue growing World T.E.A.M. Sports and pursuing our mission.”
Having served as a member of the board of directors of the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition since June 2015, Brideau is an outdoor sports enthusiast. He has participated in three Face of America rides with World T.E.A.M. Sports and competed with a team of five athletes at this September’s Adventure Team Challenge in north central Colorado’s high Gore Mountains.
“In September, I attended my first Adventure Team Challenge Colorado as a participant on Team Graphite,” Brideau said of his competition. “I was blown away by this event and the amazing connections it fosters through two days of adventure racing. I cannot wait to get started on this new journey here at World T.E.A.M Sports.”
Face of America is the organization’s largest and most popular sporting event, growing from 204 athletes in 2007 to nearly 600 on two routes in 2017. Revenue from this inclusive two-day bicycle ride honoring adaptive military veterans has increased during the same period from $117,000 to over $570,000. Funds received through Face of America cover ride expenses and also help support other World T.E.A.M. Sports throughout the year, including Adventure Team Challenge and the new Face of America Liberty bicycle and hand cycle ride from West Point to the World Trade Center in Manhattan this October 8.
A business administration graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, Brideau makes his home in Beverly, Massachusetts with his wife Jessica.
