USA Gymnastics Names Mary Bono Interim President and CEO
Posted On: October 12, 2018 By :
USA Gymnastics has announced that Mary Bono will serve as interim president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Bono, a former Congresswoman, will serve in the role until a permanent president and CEO is found to replace Kerry Perry, who left the role under pressure from the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Bono recently served as a principal at Faegre Baker Daniels Consulting in Washington, D.C., working in the area of legislative strategies and policies. Prior to that, she was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Southern California for 15 years. She is also a former gymnast who trained in a variety of clubs with several different coaches over 10 years.
“Mary is known to be an outstanding communicator who can coalesce people with differing views and perspectives,” said USAG Board Chair Karen Golz. “Mary is passionate about the sport, and having her as our interim president and CEO will move the organization forward.”
USAG has formed a search committee focused on finding a permanent president and CEO for the embattled organization. Perry resigned in September after nine months in the position under pressure from the USOC, which expressed concern over the pace of reforms in the wake of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal.
USAG has been in the process of implementing recommendations by Deborah Daniels after her independent review of the organization’s safe sport policies and procedures. Reforms have included amending the organization’s bylaws and the appointment of a new board of directors, made up of eight independent members and seven from within the gymnastics community.
“Most importantly, USA Gymnastics has been focused on athlete safety and well-being and ensuring that programs and protocols are in place to prevent all forms of abuse and to encourage athletes to speak up,” Golz said. “This process has been challenging, but is a necessary step in moving the community forward.”
Posted in: Gymnastics, Latest News, National Governing Body, Olympic Sports, Sports Organizations