Skip Gilbert Returns as Chair of ACES Board of Directors

US Youth Soccer Chief Executive Officer Skip Gilbert is returning to his role as chair of the Board of Directors for the Association of Chief Executive Officers for Sport.

He succeeds USA Triathlon’s Rocky Harris, who recently stepped down to join the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee as its chief of sport and athlete services. ACES Chief Executive Officer Rick Mack made the announcement earlier this month.

“It’s a privilege and an honor to return to this role and work alongside Rick and the other board members to best serve the needs of our ACES family and help fulfill our mission,” Gilbert said.

The mission of ACES is to support and enhance the business interests of non-profit member sport organizations, share best practices, promote professional development, and formulate a collective voice on common issues.

“It is very exciting to have Skip back as our Board Chair,” said Mack. “Without his vision and leadership in supporting the creation of our organization nearly 15 years ago, we may not even exist today. His leadership roles in recent years, particularly in his current role as CEO of US Youth Soccer, make him an ideal leader of the ACES Board.”

Gilbert, who will celebrate his third anniversary with US Youth Soccer in January, was a co-founder of the organization in 2008 while serving as the chief executive officer of USA Triathlon and was ACES’ first chair. He will again lead a five-person board for the non-profit, which is comprised of chief executive officers and executive directors of USOPC National Governing Bodies, as well as national sport organizations.

Other ACES Board Members include Virginia Sung, USA Table Tennis (first vice chair), Amanda Kraus, US Rowing (second vice chair), Michael Massik, National Strength and Conditioning Association (treasurer) and Martin Palmaz, US Hang Gliding & Paragliding (secretary).