Press Release
Submitted by USA Rugby
August 29, 2016
LAFAYETTE, CO – USA Rugby has today announced changes and additions to their board of directors. Long-time board members Will Chang and Rob King have been named chairman and vice-chairman, respectively. The national governing body also announced the addition of Dean Barrett to their board of directors.
Jeremiah Johnson, who sits as congress representative to the board of directors, said: “Today the Congress continued the forward momentum in affirming Will Chang and Dean Barrett to their roles in the USA Rugby board of directors. Another positive step for USA Rugby.”
Mr. Chang has been a member of the USA Rugby board of directors since 2012, working intimately with leadership through the Rugby World Cups and, most recently, the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. “I’m honored to be elected chairman of USA rugby,” said Chang. “I am even more excited that I can spend the next two years helping build toward the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 in San Francisco.”
Mr. King has been a board member since 2010 and will act as vice chairman until 2018. “It’s been a privilege to serve on the board for the last six years,” said King. “I look forward to serving as vice chairman for the next two years and to continue to help grow this great game.”
New to the USA Rugby board of directors is Dean Barrett. Mr. Barrett is former senior vice president and global marketing officer for McDonald’s Corporation. In his position with McDonald’s, Mr. Barrett was responsible for generating corporate strategies and marketing initiatives to foster growth across the McDonald’s system. Mr. Barrett is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, holding a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications. In 2015, Mr. Barrett retired from corporate work after a 41-year executive business career.
When asked about his nomination, Mr. Barrett said: “I look forward to the opportunity of serving on the USA Rugby board. USA Rugby is a great brand with immense growth potential. I look forward to using my branding skills toward the continued growth of the USA Rugby brand.”
Mr. Chang will replace Bob Latham as chairman of the board. Mr. Latham will continue serving the rugby community, however, as he will occupy the new USA seat on the World Rugby Council and was recently reelected to the 12-person World Rugby executive committee. “It’s been a rewarding experience to serve as chairman of USA Rugby and to be on the board for 22 years,” said Latham. “The organization will be in great hands with our new chairman, vice chairman, board member and new CEO [Dan Payne].”
About USA Rugby
Established in 1975, USA Rugby is the governing body for the sport of rugby in America and a Full Sport Member of the United States Olympic Committee. Currently headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, USA Rugby is charged with developing the game on all levels and has more than 100,000 active members, with more than 35,000 playing collegiate rugby and 35,000 playing senior club rugby. USA Rugby oversees four national teams, multiple collegiate and high school All-American sides, and an emerging Olympic development pathway for elite athletes. It also hosts more than 30 national playoff and championship events each year as a service to its members. In October 2009, the International Olympic Committee announced Rugby Sevens (the seven-a-side version of the game) will appear in the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro. Visit www.usarugby.org for more information.
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Further Information:
Nick Sero | Manager, Communications and Digital Media | USA Rugby | nsero@usarugby.org
