COLORADO SPRINGS – The USOC announced three changes to the organization’s board of directors Wednesday.
The organization announced that Jim Bensen, Nina Kemppel and Dave Ogrean have left the board. They are replaced by Rich Bender, Beth Brooke-Marciniak and Brad Snyder.
The USOC said Benson, Kemppel and Ogrean completed their elected terms on Dec. 31, 2018.
Bender is executive director of USA Wrestling, Brad Snyder is a former Navy Lieutenant and seven-time medalist in para swimming and Brooke-Marcinak is the global vice chair of public policy for EY, formerly Ernst and Young.
“The USOC is at a pivotal point, and now more than ever, we have a unique responsibility to ensure that athletes are protected, supported and empowered in equal measure,” said USOC Chair Susanne Lyons in a news release. “I look forward to working with Rich, Brad and Beth as we continue our critically important work to confront the challenges facing our organization.”
The three new members will join the 16-member board, which oversees Team USA operations. The board is made up of six independent directors and three directors from the Athletes’ Advisory Council as well as the National Governing Bodies Council. The USOC CEO and all American members of the International Olympic Committee are ex officio members of the board.
Synder will serve as a representative from the Athletes’ Advisory Council, Bender will serve as a representative from the National Governing Bodies Council, Brooke-Marcinak will be an independent representative.
The USOC has seen some turnover in leadership positions in the wake of the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal, including the appointment of Sarah Hirshland to serve as CEO of the organization last July, replacing longtime CEO Scott Blackmun.
