The Foxes Trust likes to provide an insight to City fans of those running our club and while most fans will be aware of Milan Mandaric’s background in football, fans will be less aware of the background of current Chief Executive Lee Hoos, who stepped into the role in the summer of 2008.
Lee has agreed to answer an in depth series of questions set by Trust Board Member Matt Davis, so today is the first part of a series of articles.
INTRODUCTORY:
When and where were you born? 21/11/61 Baltimore USA
Where do you now live? i.e. have you moved to the area? Family is still back in Hampshire, but I spend Monday to Friday and Saturday home games here in Leicester.
What club did you support as a boy? Growing up in the States, I didn’t watch much English football. But there was a programme on every Sunday morning called “Soccer Made in Germany” – I watched it religiously every week and really like Bayern Munich.
Who is your favourite footballer of all time? Jimmy Nielson (just kidding). I always liked Beckenbauer, but in the modern game, I don’t think there is anybody more talented than Cristiano Ronaldo…..
Who is your current favourite footballer? Cristiano Ronaldo
What has been your career path to date?
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1984 – 1989 TFS Inc, Baltimore, Maryland, USA – established an outdoor sporting goods retail store
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1989 – 1996 United Parcel Service, United States of America (various locations)
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1996 – 1998 Harrods Limited, London, England – HR Manager
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1998 – 2006 Fulham Football Club (1987) Ltd., London, England – HR Manager then Deputy MD, then Football Business Director
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2007-2008 Southampton Football Club – Operations Manager then Chief Executive
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2008 to date Leicester City Football Club Chief Executive
So what originally brought you to England? I was headhunted to work for Mohamed Al Fayed, he then bought Fulham – and the rest is history.
What was it like working for Mohamed Al Fayed? Unique. He is a man who expects results and doesn’t suffer fools gladly.
Why did you leave Southampton? There was a Board Change and a different group of shareholders took control of the Club.
What are the main differences between this club and both Fulham & Southampton? Both Clubs are smaller than this one and I feel this Club with its catchment area and infrastructure has the greatest potential. Having said that there are some great similarities as all three clubs are very family-oriented and I have had the privilege to meet some terrific people.
Look out for part two of this article in the near future