Greater Orlando Sports Commission Announces Promotions and New Hire for 2025

The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) has announced a series of promotions and one new hire as it prepares for its 2025 event calendar.

"We are thrilled to announce the well-earned promotions of our outstanding team members," said President & CEO Jason Siegel. "These individuals have shown remarkable dedication, leadership, and skill, playing a key role in our organization’s achievements. Their promotions are a testament to their hard work and our commitment to supporting growth and celebrating excellence within our team. We look forward to seeing them thrive in their new roles and continue advancing our mission serving the residents of our community."

In addition, GO Sports is proud to announce the hiring of Jordan Henderson as Corporate Partnerships & Events Coordinator. Henderson spent the last eight months as a seasonal team member with Florida Citrus Sports on the corporate partnerships team, contributing to the planning and execution of high-profile events, including college football bowl games and international soccer matches. He studied Integrated Business at UCF, where he was actively involved in the athletic department and gained valuable experience in sponsorship activations and event coordination.

Below are details on the staff promotions:

Jennifer Lastik – Chief Operating Officer

Jennifer Lastik joined the Greater Orlando Sports Commission in February of 2007, and is entering her 18th year with the organization. She oversees event logistics for a four-county region while managing business operations, the state grant program, event budgets and contracts. Recently, Lastik was honored in Sports Business Journal’s Game Changers Class of 2024, recognizing women across the industry who are helping to shape the future of sports business. She was also named by Orlando Business Journal as Women Who Mean Business Honoree (2021) and 40 Under 40 Honoree (2014, 2018). Additionally, Lastik was inducted into the Inaugural Class of the Slippery Rock University Sport Management Hall of Fame.

Lastik earned a B.S. from Slippery Rock University and an M.S. from West Virginia University. She currently serves on the board of directors for WISE Greater Orlando (Secretary) and is a Trustee for the Downtown Orlando Partnership.

Brent Nelson – Executive Vice President of Business Development & Sports Tourism

Brent Nelson began his career with the Greater Orlando Sports Commission in 1995 after graduating from Florida State University with a B.A. in Marketing. Approaching his 30-year anniversary with the organization, Nelson works with regional stakeholders, hoteliers, destination marketing organizations and venue managers in the four-county region to attract and retain key domestic and international relationships and events within the overall sports marketplace. He has played a significant role in securing events that have driven more than $3.6 billion in economic impact during his time with the sports commission.

A native of Winter Springs, Florida, Nelson currently serves on the Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center Board of Directors and is a member of Skal International Orlando. He previously served on the Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA) Board of Directors from 2018-2022 and served on the Connect Sports Marketplace Advisory Board in 2014 and 2015.

Michael Kalinich – Executive Vice President of Corporate Partnerships

Michael Kalinich joined the Greater Orlando Sports Commission in 2018. In his seventh year with the company, he oversees the revenue team and manages the GO Sports corporate partnership network. During his tenure, Kalinich has secured more than 70 new corporate partners and more than quadrupled the organization’s private corporate partnership revenue.

Kalinich currently serves on the Florida Collegiate Summer League board of directors. He previously oversaw corporate partnerships for the Orlando Solar Bears, served as an Assistant AD for Binghamton University, and owned several travel agencies which earned numerous national recognitions.

Kyle Sturley – Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Special Events

Kyle Sturley joined the Greater Orlando Sports Commission in 2013 and is in her 12^th year with the company. She leads the organization’s overall marketing, communications, social media and public relations efforts, managing all vendor relationships in these areas, and will continue to manage marquee events that are hosted or co-hosted by GO Sports. Most recently, she served as Tournament Director for the 2023 NCAA DI Men’s Basketball Championship 1^st/2^nd Round games hosted at Kia Center. She also oversees the annual Celebrating Women in Sports Luncheon and SPORTYS Awards that are owned and operated by the sports commission.

A graduate of Michigan State University (B.A.) and Old Dominion University (M.S. Ed), Sturley currently serves as Chair of the Downtown Arts District board of directors and is a board member for WISE Greater Orlando.

Lindsey McBride – Vice President of Events, Operations & Business Development

Lindsey McBride’s professional journey with GO Sports began in 2005. After gaining valuable experience with other organizations, she returned to the sports commission in 2016. As she approaches her 10-year anniversary with the company, she manages events and business development for Lake and Osceola Counties where she routinely oversees more than 20 events a year, in addition to her operational responsibilities.

An Orlando native, McBride is currently part of Leadership Orlando Class 107 and previously served as the Membership Committee Chair for WISE Greater Orlando. She graduated from the University of Florida where she was a member of the Women’s Soccer Team that won an SEC Championship and advanced to the Women’s College Cup Semifinals in 2001.

Elizabeth Caldarelli – Director of Business Development & Events

Elizabeth Caldarelli joined GO Sports in 2022 after graduating from Troy University with a Masters in Sport Management. Entering her fourth year with the company, she oversees business development and events for Seminole County, and also manages the organization’s attraction ticket program.

Caldarelli is an active member of the Junior League of Greater Orlando. Prior to attending Troy University, she graduated from Texas A&M University in 2020 where she was a member of the Women’s Golf Team and Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

ABOUT THE GREATER ORLANDO SPORTS COMMISSION

The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) is a private, non-profit organization established to attract and manage sports-related events, conferences and activities that drive positive economic development in the City of Orlando, Lake County, Orange County, Osceola County, and Seminole County. Founded in 1992-93, the organization has hosted or co-hosted more than 1,660 events in the Greater Orlando area with a total economic impact exceeding $3.3 billion in spending within the community. For more information, visit GreaterOrlandoSports.com.