U.S. Olympic Committee Names Three Board Members

Rich Bender, the longtime executive director of USA Wrestling, has been named to the U.S. Olympic Committee board of directors, joining EY executive Beth Brooke-Marciniak and Paralympian Brad Snyder as new members of the board. The three began their terms on January 1 and succeed Dave Ogrean, Jim Benson and Nina Kemppel, who completed their terms December 31.

“It’s my privilege to welcome three new board members who bring a unique background and set of capabilities that will help advance the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic community in a positive, meaningful way,” said USOC Chair Susanne Lyons. “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. I look forward to working with Rich, Brad and Beth as we continue our critically important work to confront the challenges facing our organization so that we can emerge as a stronger, better community for the athletes we serve.”

The 16-member USOC board is comprised of three representatives from both the Athletes’ Advisory Council and National Governing Bodies Council, and six independent members. The CEO and all American members of the International Olympic Committee are ex officio members of the board.

Bender has led USA Wrestling since 2001 and will serve in one of the NGB seats on the board. Under his direction, USA Wrestling’s membership reached an all-time high in 2018. He previously served as chairman of the NGB Council from 2010–2016.

Brooke-Marciniak fills an independent spot on the board. She oversees public policy for EY (formerly Ernst & Young) in more than 150 countries. She is an advocate for diversity and inclusion, including women’s advancement, and LGBT+ inclusion and mentoring. She also created the EY Women Athletes Business Network.

Snyder, the athlete representative, is a two-time Paralympian (2012, 2016) in swimming and five-time Paralympic gold medalist for Team USA. He was named a member of the Paralympic Advisory Committee in 2018. Snyder is a retired U.S. naval officer who served two deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, during which time he sustained an injury in 2011 from an improvised explosive device that left him permanently blinded.