Appointment of Interim Executive Director

USA Canoe/Kayak is continuing with its growth and development.  In January, the Board of Directors approved a new set of Bylaws and a new Board was installed which consisted of five Directors elected by the membership and four Independent Directors appointed by the Nominating and Governance Committee. Since taking office, the new Board has held two board meetings at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, both of which were fully open to the public. The Board also hosted a well attended Assembly of Members at the National Whitewater Center on October 1, 2009. The Board has appointed new Sprint and Slalom Discipline Committees, a new Audit and Ethics Committee, a new Nominating and Governance Committee and a new Judicial Committee; all of which have been filled with capable, experienced and enthusiastic volunteers. New energy abounds as the organization moves forward. 

Effective October 19, 2009, Executive Director, David Yarborough has resigned after holding the position for six years. "[Yarborough's] leadership will be missed," said Board Chair David Backer, an attorney in Portland, Maine. "The entire Board of Directors thanks him for his years of service to USA Canoe/Kayak and wishes him well in his next endeavor."

The Board of Directors has appointed Joe Jacobi, the current Slalom Director member of the Board, to serve as the interim Executive Director.  A two-time Olympian (Barcelona and Athens), Joe teamed with Scott Strausbaugh to win America's first-ever Olympic Gold Medal in Whitewater Canoe Slalom.  "No one has more passion to bring to the organization than Joe. Joe has the ideal complement of creativity and energy to move the organization to a new level of growth and responsiveness to our members," said Backer. "The Board is excited to have him leading the National Office and working with William Irving, Gerald Babao, Stacey Hepp and Bennett Wetch."