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Glenn
Merry to Join Disabled Sports USA
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as Executive Director
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Rockville,
MD – August 2018 / Newsmaker Alert / Disabled
Sports USA (DSUSA), one of the nation’s largest multi-sport, multi-disability
organizations, today announced that Glenn Merry will become Executive Director
on August 27, 2018. Merry will become just the fourth leader in the 51-year
history of the organization.
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As
Executive Director, Merry will be responsible for providing effective and
dynamic management and growth of DSUSA’s operations and programs in pursuit
of DSUSA’s vision “that every person, regardless of ability, has an equal
opportunity to participate in sports and recreation in their community.”
Adaptive sports are life-transforming for youth and adults with disabilities,
and embodied in Disabled Sports USA’s motto: “If I can do this, I can do
anything!”
To
accomplish this, Merry will lead DSUSA’s national office, including the
strategic planning and implementation that will ensure DSUSA successfully
fulfills its mission by establishing and maintaining close relationships
with corporate, nonprofit, professional, civic, governmental and foundation
entities.
“Glenn
Merry’s 25 years of proven experience and strong reputation working with
nonprofits will ensure DSUSA is effectively positioned to serve youth and
adults with disabilities through our chapters, which are dedicated to delivering
the highest quality adaptive sports programming in a safe environment.
We look forward to Glenn’s leadership and his cultivation of the deep,
meaningful partnerships and sponsorships that have been developed over
decades since our founding in 1967,”said Katrina Shaklee, President of
DSUSA’s Board of Directors.
Merry
brings to DSUSA extensive experience leading nonprofit and sports management
organizations. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the United
States Rowing Association, an Olympic National Governing Body (NGB), where
he expanded membership by fifty percent, reaching 100,000 individuals,
doubled the number of USRowing member organizations, and nearly tripled
the organization’s revenues. While at USRowing, Merry was also instrumental
in setting new standards for community partnerships and implementing effective
youth protection policies. During his tenure, Merry captured bids for the
2017 World Rowing Championships and the 2018 FISA Masters Regattas.
A leader
for diversity and inclusion in sport, Merry led the launch of USRowing’s
adaptive/para rowing program and created Freedom Rows, a national program
serving military veterans. The US Olympic Committee honored USRowing with
its Diversity and Inclusion Award in 2015 and 2016.
“I
am honored and excited to have been selected as the next leader of Disabled
Sports USA,” said Glenn Merry. “I look forward to building upon the great
work of retiring Executive Director, Kirk Bauer. As I join this organization
of athletes and organizers who ‘can do anything’, I look to bring that
same attitude everyday in creating more access and opportunities in sport
for individuals with disabilities.”
Merry
served as the Vice Chair of the US Olympic Committee National Governing
Body Council from 2007-2014 and chaired an US Olympic Committee Oversight
Committee in 2013. He was the USRowing National Federation Representative
at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Team Leader at the 2004 Athens Olympic
Games. Glenn held management roles earlier in his career with the Indiana
University Alumni Association and Rotary International.
Merry
is a graduate of the Masters Program in Sports Management - MEMOS, International
Olympic Committee (IOC), University Poitiers, France and holds a Bachelor
of Arts in Communication from State University of New York at Albany, where
he rowed from 1987-1990.
The
DSUSA Board of Directors noted appreciation of Kirk Bauer’s 36 years as
DSUSA’s executive director and his supportive role through a transition
that will conclude with his official retirement December 31, 2018. For
more information, visit www.DisabledSportsUSA.org.
About
Disabled Sports USA
Founded
in 1967, Disabled Sports USA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that
provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence,
confidence and fitness through participation in sports. What began as a
program to serve Vietnam veterans has since grown into one of the nation’s
largest multi-sport, multi-disability organizations, annually serving more
than 60,000 wounded warriors, youth and adults with disabilities.
A member
of the U.S. Olympic Committee, Disabled Sports USA offers programs in more
than 50 summer and winter sports through its nationwide network of more
than 120 community-based chapters in 41 states. For more information, visit
www.DisabledSportsUSA.org.
Media
Contact:
Shuan
Butcher
Disabled
Sports USA |