The Partnership for Clean Competition (PCC) is thrilled to announce that Rusty Smith has been hired as the new Head of Research Programs. The Head of Research Programs is responsible for developing, directing and driving organization strategy and overseeing all daily operations of the organization, including stakeholder management, business development, budget oversight, grant administration, scientific outreach, and coordination with the Board of Governors and Scientific Advisory Board.
Smith comes to the PCC with more than 14 years of experience, including seven years in executive leadership roles including nonprofit management. Most notably, he served as the Executive Director of the Texas Produced Water Consortium, a research consortium focused on the environmental and economic viability of water treatment options for public use in water-scarce regions.
In addition to Smith’s leadership experience, he brings a proven track record of managing complex scientific research initiatives to the position. He has an extensive background in project management across multiple sectors, as well as experience in setting research agendas, and building partnerships with national laboratories, academic institutions, corporate stakeholders and federal agencies.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have found someone with Rusty’s nonprofit management experience and knowledge of research to become the new Head of Research Programs at the PCC,” said Jon Coyles, chairperson of the PCC Board of Governors and Senior Vice President of Drug, Health & Safety Programs at Major League Baseball. “It is evident from Rusty’s work in his past positions that he values innovation and partnerships and brings a committed and results-focused attitude that will expand the reach and impact of the PCC.”
“I am thrilled to lead the PCC at such a pivotal moment,” Smith said. “Clean competition isn’t just about preserving the integrity of sport; it protects the health and safety of athletes at every age and skill level, and it validates the authentic talent of competitors. The founding partners and contributors to the PCC have declared their unwavering commitment to those principles, and I look forward to building upon that foundation with all organizations who share the same values.”
Smith received his Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Leadership & Development from Texas A&M University before obtaining his Master’s degree in Business Administration from Texas Tech University. He will begin his new position effective immediately and will be based in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
About the PCC
Founded in 2008 by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the Partnership for Clean Competition (PCC) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization working to protect the integrity of sport and public health by engaging and supporting the world’s top scientists and innovators in high-quality anti-doping research and development. By combining the resources and expertise of America’s leading sports entities, the PCC supports non-partisan and independent scientific research by making targeted grants to various universities and other world-class research institutions. PCC-supported research contributes to a movement in addressing doping’s root causes and ultimately decreasing the use of performance-enhancing drugs by all participants in all sports at all levels of play. For more information, visit cleancompetition.org.
