USA CURLING APPOINTS DEAN GEMMELL INTERIM CEO
October 28, 2022.
The USA Curling Board of Directors has unanimously accepted Jeff Plush’s resignation.
USA Curling recognizes that we are a membership organization with equal accountability to all our constituents, including recreational curlers, curling club leaders, coaches, fans of the game, athletes with competitive aspirations, and National Team members. As the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport, we also work closely with and are grateful for the support of the USOPC, our sponsors and partners, and the World Curling Federation.
Our steadfast commitment to the curling community has not changed. But in recent months, our relationship with this community has been damaged. We have not communicated effectively, and some believe we have not listened. There has been anger, frustration, and confusion.
We see you. We hear you. We care about you.
Our priority is to rebuild trust. To start that process, today we lead with action.
First, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Dean Gemmell as the Interim CEO of USA Curling. Dean has been involved in all aspects of the sport, and has demonstrated his willingness to engage with the people who love and play it. A former national champion, Dean has served as the President of his home club in New Jersey, led clinics and camps for juniors and adults, worked closely with other USOPC NGBs as our sport's athlete representative, and has worked most recently as our Director of Development. He also has over 20 years of marketing and advertising experience.
"I believe the national organization has been and will be critical for the continued growth of the sport in the United States," Gemmell remarked. "I'm convinced curling can be a force for good, and when the people in this sport work together we can make great things happen. To fully address issues, I plan to host a Town Hall in the next week."
The next action the Board is taking is to assign the flow of SafeSport claims to the Sporting Director, Katie Baker, and the Interim CEO, Dean Gemmell. These assignments are temporary, as the Board is convening a committee led by Alexandra Agre, that will make further recommendations, review past reporting, and examine existing policies. Change will come swiftly, with contributions from all kinds of people who play our great sport.
The Board of USA Curling is also launching a full review of our bylaws and governance policies. Ideas brought forward at the Members' Assembly will be discussed and debated, and the people behind them will be part of the process. It is our hope that curlers from across the country—whether they belong to clubs large or small, curl in an arena or a dedicated ice facility—will come forward and contribute their expertise. Diversity is our strength.
We cannot possibly address all the issues of concern in a single statement. There is more to come. The Board has met several times this week and will be meeting again tonight to discuss further actions. Dean, who just learned of his appointment, is reaching out to staff, sponsors, partners, and other stakeholders. We look forward to him sharing his vision for the organization with the membership in the coming weeks.
We wish good luck and good curling to all the clubs starting their seasons this week, the Women's Scots Tour, the players in bonspiels in Grand Rapids, MN, Bowling Green, OH, Helena, MT, Rochester, NY, Grand Marais, MN, Rice Lake, WI, Beaverton, OR, Tempe, AZ, the curlers engaged in instructor courses in Schenectady and Detroit, and Teams Peterson and Dropkin who are competing in the Pan Continental Championships in Calgary.
The Board of USA Curling is committed to doing better. If you would like better from USA Curling, please join us in making a positive contribution to the organization. The members, athletes, volunteers, and staff share common objectives—to grow and promote the sport, and unite curling organizations across the country. We can only reach these goals together.
Lynn LaRocca, Chair
Alexandra Agre, AAC Chair
Jeff Annis
John Benton
Shane Coppola
Terri Gleason
Darryl Horsman
Colin Hufman
Bret Jackson
Tracy Lawless
Patrick McDonald
Hawley MacLean
Roger Smith
USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, Toyota, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), and Sitrin, and is partnered with IHG, Rock Solid Productions Inc., Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People, and United Airlines.
