USA SHOOTING BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTS NEW CHAIRMAN

[USA Shooting]

USA SHOOTING BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTS NEW CHAIRMAN
By Brittany Nelson, USAS Public Relations & Communications Manager

COLO SPRGS, CO (March 6, 2023) – The USA Shooting Board of Directors has elected Jim Mitchell as the new Chairman of the Board during a February 2023 meeting.

“It’s a great honor and privilege to be selected as the chairman of the USA Shooting Board of Directors,” said Mitchell. “I’ve been blessed and fortunate to work with this outstanding organization and many athletes. I look forward to the challenges ahead.”

Mitchell has been a member of the board since 2020 and previously served as the president of the USA Shooting Team Foundation. Mitchell owns and operates Oak Tree Gun Club and LA Clays Shooting Sports Park, two of the largest premier outdoor ranges in southern California.

Mitchell’s support for USA Shooting has spanned decades by providing range facilities for six-time Olympic medalist Kim Rhode and supporting Olympic training facility enhancements in Colorado Springs through the Shikar Foundation.

“Not only do we have great athletes and coaches but a dedicated and professional staff,” said Mitchell. “I intend to lead renewed efforts, to increase resources that enhance performance at all levels, strengthen partnerships, and help USA Shooting dominate on the world stage. I want to thank outgoing Chairman Chad Whittenburg for his leadership and commitment to USA Shooting.”

Mitchell is also a patron life member of the NRA and a member of the Ring of Freedom. He is past president of the Shikar Safari Club International and is an officer and secretary of The International Order of T. Roosevelt, a leading worldwide conservation organization. He succeeds immediate past Chairman Chad Whittenburg, who served in this capacity for the last four years. Whittenburg is transitioning as the President of the USA Shooting Federation.

“It’s been the honor of a lifetime to be involved in this leadership capacity for USA Shooting over the last four years,” said Whittenburg. “There have been tremendous changes, challenge, and triumph and it’s been humbling to be a part of this. I wish incoming Chairman Jim Mitchell all the best for a successful Olympics in Paris.”

The February meeting marked the first board meeting USA Shooting’s new Chief Executive Officer, Craig Kozeniesky, attended.

“This is a great time to be with USA Shooting,” said Kozeniesky. “It’s been very gratifying to see the generational performances during the Tokyo Olympics that past Chairman Chad Whittenburg presided over and passionately influenced in his tenure.”

Kozeniesky came on board as the USA Shooting CEO in January of 2023.

“Incoming Chairman Jim Mitchell brings decades of experience, expertise, and wisdom to the board,” said Kozeniesky. “His leadership across the industry is matched by few and he’s energetically leading the resourcing of USA Shooting to new heights for the Paris 2024 Games.”

The board also voted on various officer positions and seated members for their second terms to include Whittenburg, Ana English, and Rick Marsh.

English was previously the treasurer and is now the vice chair. She will focus on operations oversight and board governance. Marsh is serving as an independent board director. Amanda Banta is taking over as treasurer.

“I’m personally very grateful to see new Vice Chair Ana English remain involved and influential in the board leadership,” said Kozeniesky. “I look forward to working closely with the new board members and thank those departing members for their dedicated support.”

Another USA Shooting election process recently took place for the rifle and shotgun athlete representatives. Amanda Banta is the new rifle representative and will take over for Eric Uptagrafft who previously held the position. Frank Thompson is the new shotgun representative and will replace Vincent Hancock.

Each USA Shooting discipline, pistol, rifle, shotgun, and para, has an athlete representative and alternate to advocate for their competitors. The terms last four years.

To be eligible an athlete must have competed in either the Olympic Games, World Championships, Pan Am Games, or an Operation Gold designated event within the last 10 years in an Olympic event.

To view all board members and current athlete representatives visit the USA Shooting website: https://usashooting.org/about/leadership/