USA Gymnastics is providing a brief update on the status of several initiatives and efforts. This also is in response to some inquiries we have received regarding the status of the search for a president/CEO and director of Safe Sport, and the independent, comprehensive review of the organization’s policies, procedures and guidelines regarding sexual misconduct being conducted by Deborah Daniels, as well as who is managing the national office until the new president/CEO is chosen and joins the staff.

Here is a brief overview on several key areas.

  • President/CEO search. The Search Committee appointed by the Board is overseeing and managing the nationwide search for a new president/CEO. The Search Committee is finalizing the process, which includes the selection of an executive search firm. Their original plan was to announce the executive search firm, the timing and process for the nationwide search, and the members of the Search Committee at the same time. While the Committee expects to select the search firm shortly, the Committee also recognizes the interest of the gymnastics community and has opted to share the make-up of the Committee at this time: David Benck and Bitsy Kelley, current public sector members of the Board of Directors; Olympic medalists Raj Bhavsar, Chellsie Memmel, Shannon Miller and Kim Zmeskal-Burdette; and Jim Morris, past public sector Board member.
  • Director of Safe Sport search. The search for the director of Safe Sport is progressing, and interviews with potential candidates for the new position are scheduled over the next few weeks.
  • Office leadership. Ron Galimore, the chief operating officer since 2011, is leading the day-to-day operations of the office and organization and has done so since the resignation of Steve Penny.
  • Deborah Daniels report. Ms. Daniels, a former federal prosecutor, is completing her thorough evaluation of existing policies, guidelines and procedures related to sexual misconduct. The community-wide effort is designed to examine the culture and generate recommendations that can help USA Gymnastics strengthen its efforts. USA Gymnastics will work with Ms. Daniels regarding the release of her report after the Board of Directors has received her findings and recommendations in late June.

We will periodically provide you with updates on key issues. USA Gymnastics is a membership-based organization, and we welcome and appreciate the interest, feedback and support that we receive from our members. Each of us has a role to play in making USA Gymnastics the best it can be.

Paul Parilla, chairman
USA Gymnastics Board of Directors