(JUNE 26) USA Boxing has a
selected a new Board of Directors, which includes a prominent
list of ten community leaders, to lead the organization in a new
and positive direction. The board breakdown includes four
independent directors, a general membership director as well as
affiliated organization director, Local Boxing Committee (LBC)
director, AIBA representative and athlete representatives. Dr.
Charles Butler (Kalamazoo, Mich.) has been elected by his fellow
Board of Directors’ members to return to his role as President
of USA Boxing and the new board was seated on June 24.
“I am extremely honored that my fellow board members have
elected me to serve as the President of this great organization
once again. USA Boxing currently sits at a critical juncture and
a clear vision is needed to turn this sport around,” said Dr.
Butler. “I believe that the talented and diverse group of
individuals selected to sit on USA Boxing’s Board of Directors
possess the experience needed to accomplish this important
mission. If this board and membership work closely together we
will restore the golden age of boxing in this country.”
The four independent directors, which were selected by the
nominating and governance committee, are: Bill Polian
(Cornelius, N.C.), DJ Walton (Hoschton, Ga.), Dr. Dick Hoffman
(Coronado, Calif.), and Richard Halpert (Kalamazoo, Mich.).
Polian, one of the most prominent figures in American sports,
brings three decades of high level sports experience to USA
Boxing’s Board. The former President of the Super Bowl Champion
Indianapolis Colts, Polian is a six-time NFL Executive of the
Year and has worked in every area of NFL operations. He served
on both the NFL Competition and Diversity Committees, as well as
working as the Chairman of the NFL College Relations Committee.
Polian currently serves as an expert analyst for ESPN and Sirius
Radio and hopes to use his vast knowledge and experience in the
world of sports to assist USA Boxing in returning to a position
of international prominence.
Dalton, a music industry veteran, has extensive experience in
the non-profit world as the founder of Frum Tha Ground Up, a
goal achievement workshop for middle school and elementary
students. He possesses extensive experience in the music world,
having served as the Tour Manager for names such as Britney
Spears and Alicia Keys. Dalton currently oversees day-to-day
operations for Keys’ company, AK Worldwide, managing numerous
aspects of the organization and her career. Walton was first
introduced to the sport by his great grandfather who competed in
the Golden Gloves in 1940s and has been passionate about the
sweet science since that time.
Hoffman began boxing at the age of 10-years-old and competed in
the sport until he began his career as a NAVY Seal. A 20-year
career Naval Officer, Hoffman holds a doctorate in Education and
moved on to his current role as a Defense Research Analyst for
the RAND Corporation in 2007. He never forgot his love for
boxing and stayed connected to the spot as a Navy Coach and
Tournament Director in the late 1990’s. Hoffman plans to use his
organizational knowledge to assist USA Boxing in rebuilding a
successful program.
Halpert, a highly accomplished attorney, has spent nearly 40
years representing injured clients through his private practice
firm, Halpert, Weston & Sawusch P.C. A highly-respected
lecturer, Halpert has had several articles published as well as
being listed in the Best Lawyers in America. He was previously
appointed to the Central Michigan University Board of Trustees
by the Michigan Governor and served on the local board of
Prevention Works, an organization designed to aide young people
in avoiding alcohol and drugs. Halpert hopes to work with his
fellow board members to assist USA Boxing in achieving
international success once again.
Former USA Boxing board member John Brown (Lenexa, Kansas) was
selected by the nominating and governance committee to serve as
the General Membership Director. The founder and owner of
Ringside, Inc., Brown has devoted 45 years to the sport of
boxing at the amateur and professional level. In addition to his
work on the USA Boxing board, Brown has served as his local
boxing committee president since 1985 as well as sitting on the
National Golden Gloves Board of Directors. The 2009 USA Boxing
Coach of the Year, Brown has trained 19 national champions,
including reigning titlist Cam F. Awesome.
National Golden Gloves Executive Director James Beasley
(Hutchinson, Kansas) was selected by his counterparts to serve
as the Affiliated Organization Director. Beasley has been
involved in Olympic-style boxing for nearly 60 years as a boxer,
official, coach and high-level administrator. He was elected to
the National Golden Gloves Board of Directors in 1972 and has
held numerous roles on their board since that time. In addition
to his work with the Golden Gloves, he has served three terms on
USA Boxing’s Board of Directors as well as working as a team
manager for international events. Outside of boxing, Beasley
spent 24 years at the Hutchinson News.
USA Boxing’s LBC Presidents elected the organization’s chief of
officials Angel Villarreal (Milwaukee, Wis.) to the position of
LBC Director. A former amateur boxer, Villareal became a USA
Boxing official in 1989 and rose to the highest ranks both
domestically and internationally. In addition to his vast
experience as an official, Villarreal has served two terms on
USA Boxing’s board and as an LBC president. He is highly
regarded internationally, previously working as an AIBA
clinician as well as a certified supervisor for AIBA’s World
Series of Boxing and APB programs. He is also a member of the
AIBA Technical & Rules Commission.
Butler will remain on USA Boxing’s board as the AIBA Director.
One of the most highly respected figures in international
boxing, Butler sits on the AIBA Executive Committee as well as
working as the Chair of AIBA’s Medical Commission. A highly
respected cardiothoracic surgeon, Butler has dedicated several
years to USA Boxing and worked tirelessly on behalf of the
athletes. In addition to his work internationally, Butler has
served on the USA Boxing medical commission since 2003 and was a
founding member of the American Board of Ringside Medicine. He
has served on USA Boxing’s Board of Directors since 2010 and
took over the role as President in 2012.
The two boxers selected by USA Boxing’s elite athletes to serve
as the athlete representatives are Cam F. Awesome (Lenexa,
Kansas) and Mikaela Mayer (Los Angeles, Calif.). A multi-time
national champion and USA Boxing National Team veteran, Awesome
brings outstanding knowledge to the Board of Directors. The U.S.
Olympic Team Trials for Men’s Boxing champion in the super
heavyweight division, Awesome has represented the United States
in multiple international competitions, including the 2011 World
Championships. Known for his healthy, vegan lifestyle, Awesome
works with youth in his community through Big Brothers, Big
Sisters and helps others get in shape as a personal trainer.
Mayer, the top ranked light welterweight female boxer in the
world, is a veteran of the USA Boxing Board of Directors. She
has served as the athlete representative since 2009 and sat on
the reform committee last year. Mayer competed in the
lightweight division at the first-ever U.S. Olympic Team Trials
for Women’s Boxing in 2012 and won a bronze medal at the 2012
Women’s World Championships. With her previous experience on the
board and vested interest in the sport as a current athlete,
Mayer hopes to assist her fellow athletes in achieving
competitive success.
USA Boxing Board of Directors
Independent Directors
Bill Polian, Cornelius, N.C.
DJ Walton, Hoschton, Ga.
Dr. Dick Hoffman, Coronado, Calif.
Richard Halpert, Kalamazoo, Mich.
General Membership Director
John Brown, Lenexa, Kansas
Affiliated Organization Director
James Beasley, Hutchinson, Kansas
LBC Director
Angel Villarreal, Milwaukee, Wis.
AIBA Director
Dr. Charles Butler, Kalamazoo, Mich.
Athlete Directors
Cam F. Awesome, Lenexa, Kansas
Mikaela Mayer, Los Angeles, Calif.
WBAN
ON TWITTER -
