Sergey Kushchenko

Sergey Kushchenko (Russian: Сергей Валентинович Кущенко; born May 27, 1961 in Novye Lyady, Perm Russia) is the Executive Director of the Russian Biathlon Union, the first vice-president of the International Biathlon Union, and the member of the Board of directors for the Brooklyn Nets.

Biography

A passionate person by nature, Sergey has always been very creative and entrepreneurial. His qualities and expertise have led him to the current status of Executive Director of the Russian Biathlon Union, and member of the board of directors for the Brooklyn Nets.

Sergey Kushchenko was one of the founders of Ural-Great, a professional basketball club in Perm, Russia. In the late nineties under Sergey’s leadership, Ural-Great grew to be one of the top Russian clubs. From 1995 to 2002 during Kushchenko’s presidency, the team won two Russian championships. Seats were sold out for every game, and the Euroleague recognized Ural-Great for its outstanding organization and entertainment.

In 2002, CSKA Moscow recruited Kushenko to lead its organization. Sergey attracted the best coaches and players and introduced many innovations strengthening the club. During the next four years his successful business and sports strategies lifted CSKA to a first-class status among world clubs and put Russia back on the map of great basketball countries.

In 2005, Euroleague included CSKA in the marketing commission, and Kushchenko became part of the Euroleague Council. Shortly afterwards, CSKA won two Euroleague championships, which strengthened the club’s reputation further.

In 2006, Sergey was appointed the head for the Central Sports Army Club in Moscow which entailed more than forty different sports including hockey, basketball, tennis, swimming, and biathlon.

In 2009, Kushchenko was invited by Mikhail Prokhorov to become CEO of the Russian Biathlon Union. On September 2, 2010 Kushchenko was elected as the first vice-president of the International Biathlon Union. Sergey Kushchenko remains Mikhail Prokhorov’s chief adviser for sport affairs. In May 2011 he was appointed to the New Jersey Nets Board of directors.

Sergey lives with his spouse and 3 children in Moscow.

Achievements

Honors and Decorations:

• 1998 Badge “For the achievements in physical culture and sport development” Russian Federation
• 2006 The “Peacemaker” order from the International Charitable Alliance
• 2007 The Order of Honour Russian Federation

Awards and Titles

• 1999 Man of the year in Russian basketball”
• 2002 Winner of the professional award “Sport manager of the year”
• 2005 PhD in Sport Pedagogic
• 2006 EuroLeague Club Executive of the Year Award
• 2006 The winner of the RBK award “The person of the year” in the nomination “Modern managing decisions and investments’ attraction into the sport industry”
• 2006 “Wings for Success” award from the American Chamber of Commerce
• 2007 A member of the Academy for the outstanding sport achievements “SLAVA”
• 2008 Best Sports Executives list by Time Magazine