PORTLAND, Maine - USL to Portland announced the hiring of former Atlanta United FC and DraftKings executive, Kevin Schohl, as the expansion club's president and chief business officer. The club also looks ahead to its brand reveal fan fest on Saturday, April 27, which Maine Governor Janet Mills has officially declared as "Maine Day of Soccer."

• MORE: Portland, Maine granted USL League One franchise

Schohl brings over a decade of sports industry experience to Portland, having worked most recently at DraftKings from 2018 to 2023, and before that as the Director of Analytics & Strategic Initiatives for AMB Sports & Entertainment, the operator of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC. With the Five Stripes, Schohl played a key role in launching the Major League Soccer club's inaugural 2017 season and opening the $1.6 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta.

"I'm excited to be back in the soccer world," Schohl said. "Over the past few years, I've followed Gabe Hoffman-Johnson's efforts to bring a pro soccer club to Maine for the first time, and now I am thrilled to be a part of it."

"Helping to launch Atlanta United was the most fun I've had in my career, until now. I hope to recreate some of that magic in Portland, but more importantly, I want to tap into all the passionate energy of the soccer culture in Maine. Gabe and I are dreaming big, and we want to build a club that will make all Mainers proud."

Schohl, who graduated in 2006 from Boston College's Carroll School of Management and later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School, also has prior work experience in strategy consulting and private equity. He will oversee Portland's business operations and work alongside founder Gabe Hoffman-Johnson - who will now transition into the role of Chief Community Officer - to lead the club's front office.

"We have an incredible market with a highly engaged community up here in northern New England," Hoffman-Johnson said. "With Kevin leading the charge at the top, our goal is to become the best-run lower division professional soccer team in the country. I'm looking forward to building something special with Kevin and the rest of the team."

On Saturday, April 27, more than 1,000 local soccer enthusiasts and public figures are expected to attend the club's brand reveal fan fest in downtown Portland. The half-day event has prompted Maine Governor Janet Mills to officially declare it as "Maine Day of Soccer," as the Pine Tree State's first professional soccer club continues to take shape ahead of its anticipated inaugural League One season in 2025.

Saturday's event will feature appearances by Hoffman-Johnson and Schohl, along with New England Sports Network broadcaster and club investor, Tom Caron, club founding partner, Jonathan Culley, and USL League One President, Lee O'Neill.

In September 2023, the USL announced that Portland, Maine had been granted the rights to a USL League One franchise. Since then, the Portland-based leadership team has been building its staff, scouting for players and making soon-to-be-revealed improvements at historic Fitzpatrick Stadium.

To learn more about USL to Portland, visit the club's website and follow the club on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook.