Steve Spinner

Steve Spinner, Investor, Advisor, Finance, Business Administration, Center for American Progress, Department of Energy

An experienced executive with a breadth of knowledge in industries ranging from media and entertainment to retail, technology, and public service, Steven Spinner seized an opportunity early in his career to focus on two of his personal passions: sports and supporting his country. A lifelong athlete, Steve Spinner discovered his talent as a runner during his final year of junior high, and competed in and excelled at cross-country and track throughout high school and college. As an undergraduate at Wesleyan University, he also dedicated his time and effort to excelling at his studies, earning the Gilbert Clee Scholarship during his junior year and the Henry Luce Scholarship in the following year.Following the completion of his Bachelor of Arts, Steve Spinner spent the next year abroad honing his professional skills as a Business Analyst for McKinsey & Company. Returning to the United States in 1992, Steve Spinner joined the preparatory activities for the Centennial Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, as a Business Evaluations Associate for the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Properties (ACOP), a joint marketing effort between the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG).Subsequently promoted to Program Manager of Marketing for the revenue organization responsible for securing sports sponsorships, Steve Spinner oversaw a market evaluation process that drew in $655 million in corporate sponsorships. He created marketing plans for maximizing returns on investment as well as for sponsor ad campaigns. He also drafted forecasts of television advertising revenue for its sales strategy regarding the 1996 Olympics broadcast rights. At the time, NBC’s $456 million purchase of the 1996 Olympics broadcast rights was the largest paid rights fee in history.After the revenue-generation period of the ACOP’s efforts were completed, Steven Spinner turned his attention to continuing his education and finished his work at the organization in order to attend Harvard Business School. His first experience in working toward a national interest left a strong impression, however, and he has continually lent his business expertise to other national-scale projects as different opportunities have presented themselves. Maintaining his devotion to sports as well, Spinner has competed in Ironman triathlons and enjoys playing golf.