Organizers of the 2021 Canada Games have reached into the academic ranks at Brock University to find their new Chief Executive Officer.

Barry Wright, an associate professor who has also served as Interim Dean in Brock’s Goodman School of Business, will officially move into the CEO role on May 1.

An announcement from Doug Hamilton, who is Chair of the 2021 Canada Games Host Society, said Wright will oversee a range of key organizational activities that include human resources, volunteer programming, finance, and sport and athlete services.

Wright will take a secondment from his Brock duties in order to concentrate on the Games, which will take place in the Niagara region in the summer of 2021.

As a scholar and researcher, Wright has focused on operational disciplines including leadership, planning and organizational performance. He has been a faculty member at Brock since 2003, was voted Professor of the Year by Business students in 2009, and has authored or co-authored multiple books, book chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles, conference submissions and other publications.

Wright is the latest member of the Brock community to formally join the central organizing structure for the 2021 Games. University President Gervan Fearon sits on the 2021 Canada Games Board of Directors, as do Tom Arkell, who is Brock’s Special Advisor to the Vice-President, Administration, and Michelle-Elise Burnett and Mary De Sousa, who are members of the University’s Board of Trustees.

“This is a wonderful opportunity that will bring all of Niagara together as we welcome athletes, parents and spectators from across Canada,” said Wright. “Hosting the Canada Games will be a special moment in the history of Niagara, and it is an honour to be invited to work alongside the other members of this group.”

Hamilton said organizers are excited to have someone of Wright’s experience and qualities take on this key role.

“Barry’s leadership and connection with the Niagara community will be invaluable to the success of the Games,” said Hamilton. “We thank Brock University for allowing Barry to join our team.”

Greg Finn, the University’s Provost and Vice-President, Academic, applauded the appointment.

“Barry has extensive administrative experience and expertise in sports management at senior levels,” said Finn. “We are very pleased to see him in this role in support of the 2021 Canada Summer Games event.”

University President Fearon said Brock is committed to supporting its community partners as Niagara prepares for the national spotlight in 2021.

“We look forward to working with the 2021 Canada Games Host Committee on building the facilities and supporting the Games that will leave a lasting legacy and foundation for years to come in Ontario and the Niagara region,” said Fearon.