USA Hockey Foundation

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. — Mike O'Connor (Wayzata, Minn.) has been named director of major giving for The USA Hockey Foundation it was announced today.

O’Connor, who has more than 25 years of experience in finance management and fundraising, will lead efforts to raise major gifts to support all Foundation efforts, including growing the game, safety research, as well as varied education initiatives.

“We're extremely pleased to welcome Mike and excited to have someone with his background lead our major giving efforts,” said Pat Kelleher, assistant executive director of development for USA Hockey. “Our focus is on increasing gifts so we can support the growing number of important initiatives related to advancing the sport."

Most recently, O’Connor founded and served as president of Midwest Recovery Fund, LLC., a debt trading company funded through high net worth investor capital. He began his career with Investment Advisers, Inc., ascending the ladder from marketing associate to vice president.

O'Connor holds a degree in business management from the University of Vermont where he was a member of the men's ice hockey team from 1981-85 and earned team most valuable player honors his senior campaign.

He represented the United States on one occasion, that as a member of the 1982 U.S. National Junior Team that competed in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota.

O'Connor and his wife Tracy are the parents of four children -- sons Keegan and Jack and daughters Shannon and Riley. All four played youth hockey in the Orono (Minn.) Hockey Association where Mike coached for 12 seasons.