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TriBob
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Joined: 29 Aug 2002
Posts: 5771
Location: Lost in Transition
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 Posted: 01/12/04 - 14:27 Post subject: Steve Locke resigns as USAT executive director
Steve Locke resigns as USAT executive director
January 12, 2004, Colorado Springs, Colorado (www.slowtwitch.com):
USA Triathlon is without the executive director its known for most of its existence. Today Steve Locke resigned as the chief executive of an organization he's led for 13 years.
Locke had one full year left on a management contract, and by resigning presumably gives up a significant pay package. His reasons for resigning are the management style of the current board of directors, and the decision of that board to uphold the recent election. Locke wrote, "It is incredible to me that this Board can rationalize an acceptance of an election so flawed as an authentic election."
Locke leaves a much stronger federation than he inherited in 1991, with better than $2 million in cash and equivalents, well over 1000 sanctioning races, and 47,000 annual members. Locke's letter announcing his resignation is below:
Good afternoon,
Today I tendered my resignation from USA Triathlon as Executive Director effective immediately. I have rendered this resignation for several reasons. Chief among them is a disagreement with the direction this Board is taking and the ethics they are displaying.
In 1981, I was initiated to triathlon by participating in several events; in 1983, I was involved in creating a race management company which originated and conducted around 20 events a year (5 annually were multisport); in December of 1991 I assumed the position of Executive Director of the then Triathlon Federation USA and now USA Triathlon. Over the years,I have developed quite an investment in our sport both personally and from a business perspective.
In 1991 when I assumed the Executive Director position we were in deficit spending. Our races sanctioned hovered around 375, and our membership was 11,000. Today our budget is in excess of $5,000,000, our races sanctioned are over 1,100, and our membership base is 47,000. Further, in 1991 we did not have a national teams program, and now we have what is considered to be one of the best within the Olympic family. We also have the USA Triathlon National Training Center which has incredible potential for development of the sport for both age group athletes and the elite athletes of the future. And, finally, over the years we have been able to set aside a substantial financial fund for the inevitable rainy day. I take pride in all of the above as I was intimately involved in every project along the way and many more not mentioned.
I regretfully resign the position of Executive Director. I do not agree with the direction that this Board is taking, the micromanaging of staff they are pursuing, and, finally, the decision last week to overlook the obvious deficiencies and violations of bylaw processes in the recent Board election. In a day when USA Triathlon enforces rule violations against age group and elite athletes within the letter of the "law", it is incredible to me that this Board can rationalize an acceptance of an election so flawed as an authentic election.
As I leave this responsibility, I want to thank all of you for your kindness; for helping me to learn in this job; and for supporting USA Triathlon consistently through the years. I ask that you continue to support USA Triathlon as we have an organization with a superb staff; a staff that works incredibly long hours to provide a high level of quality service to our constituencies.
Many thanks to all of you.
Steven Locke
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