Presenters

Anthony Brenneman is the executive director of the Orange County Sports Commission. He leads start-up 501c3 nonprofit with the mission to enhance the economic, social and cultural vitality of its communities through sports. Born and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, his journey from an industrial state capital on the East Coast to leading the Orange County Sports Commission is a testament to his passion, hard work and strategic vision.

Brenneman is a 2013 graduate of Temple University, where he majored in sport and recreation management, with a minor in governance and policy. He started his professional joining the City of Clearwater, Parks & Recreation Department in Florida. His career path led him to Cleveland, Ohio, where he became an integral part of the organizing committee for Gay Games 9. His role as operations manager ensured a smooth event, welcoming 8,000 athletes, with another 20,000 visitors during the 8 summer days. 

He then moved to the Snohomish County Sports Commission in Washington, where he helped oversee sports infrastructure development throughout many of the cities in the county. 

In 2016, he was recruited to Orange County to build out the sports division of what was then called Sports Anaheim. After four years of success growing the Anaheim focus, in 2019 the Orange County Sports Commission was launched. The commission has since become a beacon for sports and a catalyst for community development in the region. Brenneman’s approach involves not only organizing sporting events but also leveraging the positive impact sports can have on local communities. From boosting local economies to promoting a sense of unity and pride, the Orange County Sports Commission has become a model for other regions looking to harness the power of sports for holistic community development.