Tiger Shaw to assume full leadership of USSA on March 3

Tiger Shaw with his daughters Eva [left] and Kara [right] (USSA)

PARK CITY, Utah — Olympian Tiger Shaw will take over as president and CEO of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association effective March 3 as part of a long-planned transition, USSA Chairman Dexter Paine announced. Shaw was named chief operating officer last fall, and he has worked under departing president and CEO Bill Marolt for the past five months.

“Bill Marolt is the most successful leader in the long history of the USSA. He not only helped U.S. athletes achieve Olympic success, but built an organization that is strong, stable and poised for the future. Projects such as the USSA Center of Excellence, U.S. Ski Team Speed Center at Copper and our endowment will positively affect generations of ski and snowboard athletes. Bill and his wife Connie, who was always at his side, have earned our deepest respect for what they have done for the USSA,” said Paine. “Tiger Shaw will capitalize on that as he takes command of the most diverse organization in Olympic sport. He has taken great advantage of the last five months to learn and we look forward to his leadership.”

Despite his retirement, Marolt will continue as an advisor to the chairman, working specifically as a board member of the International Ski Federation, U.S. Olympic Committee and 2015 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek, as well as supporting the USSA in a fundraising role.

“The five months working with Tiger on the transition has been very productive. He has worked diligently to learn the organization and each of our sports, as well as establishing his network of stakeholders,” noted Marolt. “I feel confident that the USSA is in great leadership hands. I look forward to continuing my contributions through roles in FIS, USOC, 2015 World Championships and fundraising.”

Shaw succeeds Marolt, who led the USSA to its greatest athletic success in history with 17 individual medalists, including eight champions, at the recent Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, as well as 17 athletes winning 21 medals at Vancouver in 2010. Marolt has been at the helm of the USSA since 1996 and also served as U.S. Ski Team alpine director in the 1980s. In his two tenures with the organization, he oversaw 70 of the 95 medals won by U.S. skiers and snowboarders since the start of the Winter Games in 1924.

Departing president and CEO Bill Marolt (USSA)

“When I began my role as president and CEO in 1996, I emphasized a complete focus on athletes. I’m most proud of the fact that we’ve maintained that focus – from parents to clubs to our elite teams. The athletic achievements in Vancouver and Sochi are a testament to our entire USSA family never losing sight of our primary purpose – to support athletes,” added Marolt.

Shaw, a native of Stowe, Vt., and a two-time Olympic alpine ski racer, was named chief operating officer on August 28 and started in that role October 1. He has spent the last five months working closely with Marolt in learning the organization and building the network of stakeholders. Along with his wife Kristin and family, Shaw moved to Park City this past fall.

“The Best in the World vision established under Bill Marolt’s leadership has aided our athletes in achieving their dreams. It’s an honor to follow in Bill’s footsteps and continue that vision into the future,” remarked Shaw. “My last five months working with Bill have been inspirational and educational, getting to know the organization and each of its sport programs. We have an amazing management team and staff in place and I look forward to the challenge of leading the USSA.”

Release courtesy of USSA