RUNNING USA BOARD ELECTS NEW PRESIDING OFFICERS
RUNNING USA
New president and vice president chosen for non-profit trade organization for the sport of running
At its annual summer board meeting held in Detroit, the Board of Directors of Running USA elected a new president and vice president to lead the organization, and heard updates from the CEO and staff regarding the organization’s progress on a variety of projects.
Iris Simpson Bush, Executive Director of Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon, was elected President of the board.
Bush is beginning her sixth year on the Running USA board. She recently oversaw the 20thanniversary celebration of the Flying Pig event, which was a tremendously successful marathon race weekend that included double-digit participation gains from the previous year. She has been involved with the race since its initial planning stages, first serving as a volunteer and eventually taking on the executive director role in 2002. In February, she was named to the Running USA Hall of Champions, a prestigious group of industry-leading honorees who have served the sport with distinction.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve with this group of professionals who are working to support and grow the road race industry in the United States,” said Simpson Bush. “Anything I have been able to contribute to our industry has come back to me in great measure and I appreciate the confidence placed in me with this position. I look forward to being a part of Running USA's on-going mission."
Matt West, Senior Vice President of Operations for DMSE Sports in Boston, was elected Vice President of the board.
West is beginning his third year on the Running USA Board. He handles much of DMSE’s day to day operations, and is also the event director of the B.A.A. 5K, B.A.A. 10K and B.A.A. Half Marathon. He serves as the Finish Line Manager for the B.A.A. Boston Marathon and the Falmouth Road Race. In his spare time, Matt is the Operations Director for the Antarctica Marathon.
"I’m really excited to be working with a such a talented board and exceptional staff. We have a great road head for the organization and the running industry. I’m honored to serve as Vice President and look forward to the future,” West commented.
Reelected to their positions as secretary and treasurer of the organizations were Jeff Matlow, CEO of imATHLETE in Southern California, and Lonnie Somers, founder and CEO of HAL Sports in Colorado.
“Our Board of Directors and officers are a key component of our organization’s success,” said Rich Harshbarger, Running USA CEO. “We truly appreciate their leadership and expertise in the industry, which benefits all of our members.”
The Running USA board includes 17 leaders of the running industry. You can find all of their profiles and biographies here.
About Running USA
Running USA is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization devoted to improving the status and experience of distance running and racing in the United States through collective marketing and promotions, information and communications within the industry and to the national media, services to events and industry members, and the development of American world class stars. It seeks the advancement of the sport and the provision of value to each of its members' events and businesses. For more information, visit RunningUSA.org.