The Houston Dash have named sports marketing executive Jessica O’Neill as team president, the Dash announced today. She will be introduced in a virtual press conference this afternoon at 2 p.m. CST.
O’Neill joins the Dash after spending the previous nine years with the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC. In her most recent role as Director of Marketing and Communications for Charlotte FC, O’Neill was instrumental in the Major League Soccer expansion club’s record-setting launch and led the club’s efforts to create milestone moments and impactful fan touchpoints before a ball was kicked.
“It’s long overdue for the Dash to have dedicated executive leadership that reflects the Club’s importance within the sport of soccer and in the Houston community,” said Club owner Ted Segal. “In Jessica, the Dash will have a rising star that has excelled across numerous facets of sports business and whose talents have raised the profile of the teams she has worked for. Jessica’s drive and creative approach to the fan experience and engagement will be an asset to our club, our players and our fans.”
In her new role reporting to Club president John Walker, O’Neill will be focused on improving and growing reach, engagement and revenue all areas of the Dash, including working closely with head coach James Clarkson and ownership to identify opportunities to improve the player experience at the Club. Together with Segal, she will also serve as the team’s chief advocate and spokesperson within NWSL league discussions and committees.
“I am thrilled to join the Dash and look forward to hitting the ground running. Ted Segal's commitment to making an impact in Houston has been clear to me since our initial conversations and the addition of this role proves he is serious about investing in women's soccer,” O’Neill said. “This is a phenomenal opportunity to work alongside a great team to elevate the experience for players and fans in a way that attracts and retains talent while developing a competitive and exciting atmosphere at PNC Stadium.”
O’Neill will also play a central role in helping the Club enhance the fan experience and overall brand awareness of the Dash, and will work closely with the Club’s ticket and sponsorship sales teams to identify new revenue opportunities for the Dash.
A native of Tampa, Fla., O’Neill and her husband Mark Lepkowski will move to Houston and officially join the Club next month ahead of the start of the 2022 NWSL season.
The Dash kicked off preseason training on Feb. 1 as they prepare for their ninth season in NWSL. The 2022 season will begin with the NWSL Challenge Cup on March 19. The season schedule will be released in the coming weeks.
