OTTAWA – The Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) today announced that Bernie Ashe, the organization’s first Chief Executive Officer, has decided to retire effective April 30, 2018. OSEG’s Chief Operating Officer, Mark Goudie, will be promoted to CEO and assume responsibility for OSEG’s business operations.

“On behalf of my OSEG partners, I’d like to express our sincere thanks to Bernie for his tremendous work at OSEG and our congratulations to Mark on his appointment as CEO of OSEG,” said Roger Greenberg, OSEG’s Executive Chair and Managing Partner. “Bernie is a tremendous leader and we applaud the job he’s done transforming our vision for a revitalized Lansdowne Park into the vibrant urban lifestyle district it is today. It’s hard to fathom how far we’ve come in the last five years.  Harder still to imagine the journey without Bernie leading the way.”

Mr. Ashe joined OSEG in early 2013 and established the organization’s business operations. Under his watch, OSEG managed the construction of the TD Place sports and entertainment complex and the Lansdowne restaurant/retail district, launched the Ottawa REDBLACKS and Ottawa Fury FC, re-launched the Ottawa 67’s and staged hundreds of concerts and sporting events capped by the 2017 Grey Cup and the NHL 100 Classic outdoor game. In 2015, Mr. Ashe’s accomplishments at OSEG were recognized by the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce which named him Ottawa’s CEO of the Year.

“When I look back on everything we’ve done in such a short time, I couldn’t be more proud of our staff and I thank them for their hard work. I’ve been privileged to work such exceptional people,” said Ashe. “I’d also like to thank the OSEG ownership partners for their support and guidance. As for me, I’m now 61 and looking forward to spending more time with my family and beginning the next phase of my career where I can share some of my experience consulting with business leaders in Ottawa.”

Mr. Goudie joined OSEG as Chief Financial Officer in mid-2013 and immediately put into practice his command of sports and business strategy. He helped build a customer-focused culture, established key strategic business partnerships and optimized OSEG’s financial practices. Goudie added Chief Operating Officer to his title in 2015 and oversaw the development and implementation of new, company-wide business best practices. His background in the sports and entertainment industry includes nine-years with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, and in that capacity, he reported to Bernie Ashe, who served the Senators’ organization as Chief Operating Officer.

“Mark was Bernie’s first hire at OSEG and he’s been part of our succession planning process ever since,” said Greenberg. “Over the last five years, Mark has been a leader in all facets of OSEG’s transformation from a start-up venture to a business that’s important to millions of fans and visitors every year. We know our sports teams and all businesses that operate at Lansdowne will be in good hands with Mark at the helm.”

“I feel that everything in my career to date has led me to this job,” said Goudie. “I was born and raised in Ottawa and grew-up playing ODMHA minor hockey and attending Ottawa 67’s games. In fact, my uncle was Howard Darwin, the team’s original owner, so as you can imagine, the arena and Lansdowne have always been special places for me. I am privileged to be part of an exceptionally talented team that is focused on creating special memories and exceptional fan and customer experiences.”