Glenn Merry to Join Disabled Sports USA as Executive Director

ROCKVILLE, Md., August 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA), one of the nation's largest multi-sport, multi-disability organizations, today announced that Glenn Merry will become Executive Director on August 27, 2018. Merry will become just the fourth leader in the 51-year history of the organization.

As Executive Director, Merry will be responsible for providing effective and dynamic management and growth of DSUSA's operations and programs in pursuit of DSUSA's vision "that every person, regardless of ability, has an equal opportunity to participate in sports and recreation in their community." Adaptive sports are life-transforming for youth and adults with disabilities, and embodied in Disabled Sports USA's motto: "If I can do this, I can do anything!"

To accomplish this, Merry will lead DSUSA's national office, including the strategic planning and implementation that will ensure DSUSA successfully fulfills its mission by establishing and maintaining close relationships with corporate, nonprofit, professional, civic, governmental and foundation entities.

"Glenn Merry's 25 years of proven experience and strong reputation working with nonprofits will ensure DSUSA is effectively positioned to serve youth and adults with disabilities through our chapters, which are dedicated to delivering the highest quality adaptive sports programming in a safe environment. We look forward to Glenn's leadership and his cultivation of the deep, meaningful partnerships and sponsorships that have been developed over decades since our founding in 1967,"said Katrina Shaklee, President of DSUSA's Board of Directors.

Merry brings to DSUSA extensive experience leading nonprofit and sports management organizations. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the United States Rowing Association, an Olympic National Governing Body (NGB), where he expanded membership by fifty percent, reaching 100,000 individuals, doubled the number of USRowing member organizations, and nearly tripled the organization's revenues. While at USRowing, Merry was also instrumental in setting new standards for community partnerships and implementing effective youth protection policies. During his tenure, Merry captured bids for the 2017 World Rowing Championships and the 2018 FISA Masters Regattas.

A leader for diversity and inclusion in sport, Merry led the launch of USRowing's adaptive/para rowing program and created Freedom Rows, a national program serving military veterans. The US Olympic Committee honored USRowing with its Diversity and Inclusion Award in 2015 and 2016.

"I am honored and excited to have been selected as the next leader of Disabled Sports USA," said Glenn Merry. "I look forward to building upon the great work of retiring Executive Director, Kirk Bauer. As I join this organization of athletes and organizers who 'can do anything', I look to bring that same attitude everyday in creating more access and opportunities in sport for individuals with disabilities."

Merry served as the Vice Chair of the US Olympic Committee National Governing Body Council from 2007-2014 and chaired an US Olympic Committee Oversight Committee in 2013. He was the USRowing National Federation Representative at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Team Leader at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Glenn held management roles earlier in his career with the Indiana University Alumni Association and Rotary International.

Merry is a graduate of the Masters Program in Sports Management - MEMOS, International Olympic Committee (IOC), University Poitiers, France and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from State University of New York at Albany, where he rowed from 1987-1990.

The DSUSA Board of Directors noted appreciation of Kirk Bauer's 36 years as DSUSA's executive director and his supportive role through a transition that will conclude with his official retirement December 31, 2018. For more information, visit http://www.disabledsportsusa.org.

ABOUT DISABLED SPORTS USA
Founded in 1967, Disabled Sports USA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provide
opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence and fitness through participation in sports. What began as a program to serve Vietnam veterans has since grown into one of the nation's largest multi-sport, multi-disability organizations, annually serving more than 60,000 wounded warriors, youth and adults with disabilities.

A member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, Disabled Sports USA offers programs in more than 50 summer and winter sports through its nationwide network of more than 120 community-based chapters in 41 states. For more information, visit http://www.disabledsportsusa.org.

SOURCE Disabled Sports Network

Related Links

www.dsusa.org