USADA Names New Board Chair and Welcomes New Members
October 24, 2011Colorado Springs, CO – October 24, 2011 – The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced today that Dr. Richard W. Cohen has been named Chair of the organization’s Board of Directors. Cohen succeeds founding board member and previous Chair, Dr. Lawrence S. Brown, Jr., who is retiring after serving the organization for 11 years, including one as Chair. Cohen, who is also a member of USADA’s founding board, has served as Vice Chair since 2003.
Joining Brown in retirement from the USADA Board of Directors, are Barry Axelrod and Dr. Andrew Mecca, both of whom have served the board since 2000. Both Axelrod, who served as the board’s Treasurer, and Mecca, are founding board members whose commitment and dedication to the organization’s growth have made a lasting impact on both the global anti-doping movement, as well as the countless athletes who compete fairly and clean. As part of this transition, USADA is also pleased to welcome new board members Dr. Richard Clark, Dr. Jim Kooler, John Bardis and Marcia Lee Taylor. These new board members bring a variety of expertise to the USADA board, including background in the medical field, knowledge of non-profit management, involvement with Olympic sport organizations, commitment to community engagement, familiarity with drug prevention and awareness, as well as an understanding of anti-doping programs. “Saying goodbye to three of our founding board members in Dr. Brown, Dr. Mecca and Mr. Axelrod is difficult considering their contributions in leading the organization from its start,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “Their commitment and steadfast devotion to clean athletes and the integrity of sport has been an immeasurable part of growing USADA into one of the world leaders in the anti-doping community. Looking forward, we are assured of the organization’s continued success under the guidance of Dr. Cohen and enthusiastically welcome new board members Dr. Richard Clark, Dr. Jim Kooler, Mr. Bardis and Ms. Taylor.” With Cohen’s election to the position of Chair, current board member and Olympic great, Edwin Moses takes on the role as Vice Chair. Carl Swenson, a three-time Olympian and member of the USADA board since 2007, will serve as Treasurer, replacing Axelrod. Current USADA Board of Directors Richard W. Cohen, MD – Chair Edwin C. Moses – Vice Chair Annette Salmeen, DPhil - Secretary Carl Swenson - Treasurer John Bardis Richard Clark, MD, PhD Jean Fourcroy, MD, PhD, MPH Don L. Gambril Jim Kooler, DrPH Marcia Lee Taylor