Since opening its doors in 1998, Elite Sports Marketing & Management has thrived as a global company with offices in the United States, Morocco, France, Doha, China, and Ethiopia. Based in Pennsylvania, our family is comprised of over 100 athletes representing 13 different nations in numerous events, making ESMM a truly international sporting business.
In pursuit of being trailblazers in sport, specifically track and field, ESMM has become one of the leading Athlete Representation companies in the world, producing countless Olympic Medalists and World Champions. We work closely with our athletes, coaches, and stakeholders, to facilitate the best training climates for our athletes and we cultivate a globally-scaled environment for doing optimal and seamless transnational business. Our determination to excel has enabled steady growth in size and scope, while maintaining the confidence of international event organizers and athletic federations that come to ESMM for consulting services. We are more than pioneers in sport – we are innovators in global commerce.
Team Members
Hussein Makke, Director
Director Hussein Makke has been enmeshed in international sport since his upbringing in Lebanon. Running short and middle distances, Makke acquired a sponsorship from Reebok from 1990-1995. During this time, he competed in both the 400 meters and 800 meters at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, and the following year in 1993 at the World Championships in Stuggart and the World University Games.
When Makke moved to the United States, he took up coaching at an elite level, before founding ESMM. For two decades, Makke has been working in athlete representation and growing ESMM to the dynamic company that it is today.
Hussein is a World Athletics Authorized Athlete Representative and a member of the Association of Athletics Managers; along with his colleagues Chris Gooding and Bershawn Jackson.
Kimberly Saddic, Associate Director
Growing up in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Kim Saddic quickly became a local legend winning the Pennsylvania state championship in cross country and on the track, while swimming competitively at the same time. She went on to compete at George Mason, where a full-time focus on running led her to win a NCAA title in the 10,000 meters.
Her success, however, did not stop there. Post-collegiately, Saddic qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1992 and then earned two National Team spots where she represented the U.S. in 1993 and 1994. Moving up distances into the 2000s, Saddic eventually converted her efforts in endurance sports to managing the world’s best distance runners. Since being inducted into the Chester County Hall of Fame, Saddic has brought hundreds of athletes from around the world to the Pennsylvania office, helping develop their potential along the way.
Christopher Gooding, Athlete Relations Manager
Christopher Gooding originally came from a background in American football before joining ESMM. While playing football on scholarship for West Chester University, he commenced an internship at ESMM, and brought a fresh perspective to the overall scope of the company. After graduating, Gooding joined ESMM full time and has been liaising between athletes, coaches, event organizers, and sponsors in the many years since. Chris holds his Bachelor of Science with honors in Marketing and Business Administration.
In his free time Chris is a avid fan of the outdoors, hiking, music and American Football; where his favorite team is his hometown Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. He spends time away from work coaching youth sports and spending time with his wife Jessica, daughter Cadyn and his sons Crew & Cole.
Chris is a World Athletics Authorized Athlete Representative, licensed by USATF and Member of the Association of Athletics Managers (AAM) along with colleagues Hussein Makke, Tom Farrell and Bershawn Jackson.
Bershawn Jackson, Athlete Representative USA
Bershawn “Batman” Jackson is ESMM’s newest team member after retiring in 2018 from a decorated career in athletics.
Growing up in Florida, Jackson proved to yield tremendous potential at the high school level where he earned his infamous nickname “Batman” from his flight-like running. While running for Miami Central he broke the state record in the 300 meter hurdles, thereafter securing a spot on the Saint Augustine’s University track and field team. As a Falcon, he won two national titles and set a Division II National Championship Record of 48.50 in the 400 meter hurdles.
However, after graduating Batman’s career really took off. In 2005 Jackson won the IAAF world title in the 400 meter hurdles. A few years later, he earned two consecutive bronze medals at major world sporting events - 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2009 IAAF World Championships. The seven-time World Champion and seven-time U.S. champion also took home Diamond League titles in 2010 and 2015.
Jackson’s passion for developing world class athletic talent extends beyond his own legs. Attributing track to saving his life he wanted to give back to the sport. In 2015 he started Run U Xpress and now coaches over 60 youth athletes in North Carolina. And since retiring, his career has taken on an even more robust dimension. With a wealth of experience training, coaching, and excelling at the highest level, Jackson brings particular expertise with the USA market to ESMM. Jackson’s personal experience and passion for the sport continues to broaden ESMM’s global reach by focusing on recruitment and coaching in the USA.
Haji Adilo, Head Distance Coach & Ethiopian Representative
Coach Haji Adilo is, like many coaches, an unsung hero.
He grew up training alongside Ethiopian legend Haile Gebreselassie, and the two often competed neck and neck in their province, Arsi, and later on the international world stage. Less known then, as an athlete Coach Haji recorded several impressive accolades, including two marathon victories at the Graz Marathon. His second time of 2:12:25 was enough to earn him the course record.
Unfortunately, Coach Haji’s career as an athlete was cut short due to health complications. But his passion for, and knowledge about, elite marathoning, has carried him and dozens of the world’s best marathoners to new heights. For those who scrutinize training regimens, coaching tactics, and long-term development, Coach Haji has become something of a legend in the sport. Athletes and coaches throughout the world come to him for advice and guidance, and he never ceases to disappoint.
A vital organ of the ESMM body, Coach Haji spends his days in Addis Ababa coaching many of the world’s best runners represented by ESMM.
Follow Coach Haji Adilo on Twitter
