Sporting JAX, the United Soccer League (USL) franchise group bringing women’s and men’s professional soccer to Northeast Florida, has announced the continued expansion of its front office team with the addition of Sara Garcia-Malone as senior manager of business operations and development, Henry Olivas as ticket operations manager and CRM analyst and A.J. Klimek as an account executive. These strategic hires reinforce the club’s commitment to its professional teams and the next phase of growth in the New Year.
“The continued expansion of our front office team marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for our organization,” said Steve Livingstone, president and CEO of Sporting JAX. “Sara, Henry and A.J. bring invaluable experience and expertise to these vital roles as we prepare for significant advancements with our pro women’s and men’s teams, along with our Sporting JAX Youth Academy. Their leadership will play pivotal roles to create inspiring experiences on and off the field in 2025 and beyond.”
Garcia-Malone will spearhead business development and partnerships, oversee day-to-day front office operations and drive strategic growth initiatives for the club. A seasoned leader with more than a decade of experience in large-scale event production, she has a proven track record of exceptional leadership, sponsorship acquisition and impactful marketing as the owner of a successful event production company for eight years.
Garcia-Malone, a former athlete with a master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concord University Irvine and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Northwest University, brings a unique blend of operational expertise and passion for youth and women’s sports.
Olivas will support the ticket operations department for the women’s and men’s clubs, including ticket distribution and fan engagement. With broad experience in sports and entertainment, he joins Sporting JAX following impactful roles as box office manager for Live Nation and ticket operations coordinator for D.C. United.
Additionally, Olivas has played key roles in executing marquee events, including the Capitol One Orange Bowl, the MLS All-Star Game and the Premios Rolling Stone en Español. The Miami native also holds a master’s degree in global strategic communication and a bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies from Florida International University. Klimek will also join the Sporting JAX ticket operations department, serving as an account executive to drive ticket sales and membership growth initiatives. His background includes sales roles with the Indianapolis Colts and the Fort Wayne TinCaps, and previous experience in the insurance and education sectors.
A former collegiate athlete, Klimek graduated from Trine University with a master’s degree in business administration and management and a bachelor’s degree in sports management.
These team additions follow recent Sporting JAX announcements of its partnerships with the University of North Florida to kick off the women’s pro team at Hodges Stadium this year, and its merger with Florida Elite Soccer Academy to create one of the largest youth-to-pro soccer pathways in the nation.
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