Sports Backers Announce Two New Additions to Staff

RICHMOND, VA – The Sports Backers, a non-profit sports commission dedicated to making Richmond the most physically active community in the nation, are pleased to welcome Jeff McIntyre and Shihan Wijeyeratne. Jeff will serve as Active RVA Director and begin on July 13, while Shihan will serve as Community Engagement Coordinator for Bike Walk RVA starting on June 1.

Jeff McIntyre – Active RVA Director

Jeff McIntyre joins as Active RVA Director, where he’ll collaborate with a vast array of community partners to fill voids in our community’s ability to support active living and lead a diverse range of partners including public, private and non-profit professionals and resident champions from communities across the region. Jeff was formerly the Director of Funding and Editorial Policy for PBS where he directed efforts regarding funding and editorial standards. Prior to PBS, Jeff was the Director of National Policy for Children Now. He has also served as chair for the public health committee of the Federal Communication Commission’s Task Force on Media and Childhood Obesity and served as Co-Chair of the Children’s Media Policy Coalition.

Jeff shares Sports Backers’ commitment to an active lifestyle as an avid whitewater kayaker and triathlete. He has competed at all distances of triathlon, including two Ironman competitions, several ultra-marathons, and the Chesapeake Bay swim.

Shihan Wijeyeratne – Bike Walk RVA Community Engagement Coordinator

Shihan Wijeyeratne joins Sports Backers full time as the Bike Walk RVA Community Engagement Coordinator, after serving as a PR and Communications intern for 2014-15. In his role, Shihan will work in Chesterfield and Henrico counties to empower and mobilize residents – particularly in revitalization zones – to advance the Bike Walk RVA mission of advocating for comfortable and connected places to walk and bike. He will also recruit and develop leaders from the community to be effective advocates for walking and biking infrastructure.

As an intern, Shihan worked to promote Sports Backers events and social initiatives by writing press releases and social media posts and providing support for Sports Backers events throughout the year. In May of 2015, Shihan graduated from the University of Richmond with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Economics, as well as a minor in Latin American, Latino, and Iberian Studies. Shihan is passionate about active lifestyles, and was captain of the University of Richmond Ultimate Frisbee team his senior year. He has also completed two marathons, with plans to complete more.

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