New San Jose Earthquakes operator Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment named Tom Neale general manager of the MLS club Feb. 1. Neale, 30, has worked for the Clash/Earthquakes since February 1997, most recently serving as interim general manager after Lynne Meterparel resigned in October. Previously, Neale was the second ranking individual in the front office as the director of business operations and development for the Earthquakes. ôI am grateful that SVS&E has granted me the opportunity to contribute to the success of the San Jose Earthquakes,ö Neale said. ôMLS’ announcement of SVS&E’s involvement with the Earthquakes translates to the most opportune time for this club since its inception. I am looking forward to working with SVS&E to make the Earthquakes a quality and competitive winning organization for our fans and the city.ö Neale got his start in professional soccer with the A-League as a director of marketing. In 1996, he was named general manager of the A-League’s New York Fever where he served for a year prior to joining MLS in San Jose. “Tom is the ideal person to lead the Earthquakes,” said SVS&E vice president of corporate partnerships Greg Elliott, who oversees the Earthquakes. “His passion for the game of soccer combined with his wealth of management experience and leadership skills makes him a perfect fit to help us reach our goal of building a championship team.” A former Airborne Ranger, Neale spent three years (1992-1995) as a military officer serving in the 82nd Airborne Division. As a company executive officer, he was the second ranking officer of a 120 person, rapid deployment airborne infantry unit. While in the military, he also was captain of the all-Army soccer team in 1994. Neale was the ROTC National Honor Graduate in 1991 and a Distinguished Military Graduate. Neale played soccer at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history in 1992. He was team captain for two years and a Regional All-American and All-Patriot League selection. He was named Lafayette’s Student Athlete of the Year and was the Patriot League Soccer Student Athlete of the Year in 1992.