Barry Siff has resigned as president of the USA Triathlon Board of Directors in order to accept the role of chief executive officer for USA Team Handball. It is a full-time, paid staff position for the National Governing Body in the U.S. Olympic Movement.
At USA Triathlon, Jacqueline McCook, vice president of the board of directors, has accepted the role of interim President.
Siff joined the USA Triathlon Board of Directors in 2012, and was elected President in 2014. A former race director, he was integral in identifying and advancing USA Triathlon’s key organizational priorities, including development of the current 2020 Quad Strategic Plan. Siff also led the hiring process for Rocky Harris, who was named USA Triathlon’s CEO in August of 2017.
“I have been a triathlete since 1986, and it has been an incredible honor and privilege to help lead USA Triathlon as its Board of Directors President for the past five years,” said Siff. “The current team at USA Triathlon is truly world-class, and I leave knowing that we have laid an incredibly strong foundation to achieve its mission of growing, inspiring and supporting the triathlon community.”
“Barry Siff has made an indelible impact, both in the U.S. and internationally, during a span of nearly 30 years in multisport,” said Harris. “USA Triathlon has been incredibly fortunate to have such a passionate and dedicated leader at the helm of its Board of Directors, as well as his innumerable roles over the years. We are grateful for his service and passion, and we know that he will remain an integral part of the triathlon landscape for the foreseeable future.”
The USA Team Handball Board of Directors has been actively working over the last eight months to implement the organization’s official strategic plan that was outlined in August of 2018. Included in that blueprint was the goal to hire a CEO who can help grow the sport both at the highest and grassroots levels through development activities, marketing, fundraising and solid leadership.
“Barry brings extensive experience in effectively collaborating with the U.S. Olympic Committee and international federations, and there is no doubt his passion and drive will help us move team handball forward,” said USA Team Handball Co-Chair and President Bob Djokovich. “The board looks forward to working with Barry to accelerate the growth of our sport.”
Siff succeeds Michael Cavanaugh, who has transitioned to operations director where he will work with Siff in aligning organizational policies and procedures with all USOC programs, as well as managing several important domestic and international competitions.
“I first saw team handball live at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and my love and respect for the sport has stayed with me over the years,” said Siff. “I believe it is a sport made for American athletes – fast, physical, high scoring, and requiring great athleticism – truly a formula for America’s next great sport. As recently as the Olympic Games Rio 2016, I shared my passion and hopes for the sport with both Thomas Bach, IOC President, and Hassan Moustafa, International Handball Federation President, and I am thrilled to now have the opportunity to lead this organization.”
