USA Triathlon (USAT) has named Rob Urbach to serve as the ninth Chief Executive Officer of the National Governing Body. Meanwhile, the organisation has named Tim Yount as the first Chief Operating Officer in the history of USAT.
Yount, who was named Senior Vice President of Sport Development in February 2010, spent the past five months also serving as Acting Chief Executive Officer of USA Triathlon. He will report to incoming CEO Rob Urbach beginning in March.
Urbach steps in as USAT CEO
One of the most accomplished and talented executives in the sports industry, new CEO Urbach brings with him more than 20 years of proven leadership experience. A proficient age-group triathlete, Urbach will be joining USA Triathlon from Cortview Capital Markets where as Managing Director he has provided mergers and acquisition, advisory and corporate financial services to sports industry clients.
Prior to Cortview, Urbach was Executive Vice President of Octagon, leading operations of this top global sports management and marketing firm.
"After an exhaustive international search that included many exceptionally qualified candidates, the Board of Directors is pleased that Rob will be joining us," said USA Triathlon President Bob Wendling.
"Rob has a long background in the sport and a strong corporate experience that USA Triathlon requires to continue its unprecedented growth. The Board welcomes him as the leader of the staff and the National Governing Body."
During his tenure at Octagon, Urbach oversaw the deployment of the firm’s resources around the world and led initiatives in diverse markets including South Africa, Nigeria, Turkey, Singapore and China among others. He also initiated, structured and negotiated numerous divestitures, acquisitions and joint ventures.
Octagon owns and manages events in professional soccer, tennis, golf, athletics, motorsports, running, swimming, basketball, cricket, rugby and other sports; represents several hundred elite athletes such as Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps; and manages the sports marketing investments of major global companies such as BMW, MasterCard and Sony.
"As a long-time USA Triathlon member and passionate multisport enthusiast I am honoured to be able to serve all the organisation’s constituencies," said Urbach.
"I look forward to working with USA Triathlon’s staff, Board and partners in an effort to further engage every American in the multisport lifestyle."
Tim Yount steps up as COO
"The Board of Directors is extremely pleased to offer Tim a new and elevated position within the organization," said USA Triathlon President Bob Wendling.
"Tim’s background and experience in the sport is unsurpassed, and his new charter will complement what we now feel is one of the superior core leaderships among US Olympic National Governing Bodies."
USA Triathlon’s longest-tenured employee, Yount has managed nearly every major program within the organisation since joining the national office staff in 1989.
After one year as the assistant commissioner of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Yount returned to USA Triathlon as the Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications in 2005 and served in that capacity until being named Senior Vice President, Sport Development in February 2010.
"I am excited to accept this new role with USA Triathlon and embrace the many impactful opportunities it represents," said Yount.
"I look forward to working with Rob Urbach and the rest of the national office staff as we continue to facilitate the growth and development of multisport over the foreseeable future."
After an initial stint as USA Triathlon’s Championship and Team USA Coordinator from 1990-92, Yount was elevated to the role of Assistant Executive Director from 1992-2004. He has twice served as Acting CEO during his tenure at USA Triathlon – first in 2004 and now currently, beginning in September 2010.
Yount has managed, or helped manage, the US delegation at more than 50 International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships and served as Team Leader of the US Olympic Team for triathlon’s debut at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, Australia.
Additionally, he was integral to the development of several core USA Triathlon programs, including the Junior Program, Elite Program, Drug Testing Program, Club Program and Coaching Certification.
Yount also played a key role in the creation of USA Triathlon’s 10 Regions, various merchandising and retailer programs, as well as the Paratriathlon and Clydesdale/Athena Divisions at National Championship events.
Formerly the editor of USA Triathlon’s official membership publication from 1994-2004, Yount was later instrumental in founding the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame and developing the Athletes of the Year Awards. He also created and managed the first iteration of USA Triathlon’s Official Rankings, and co-managed National Championship events from 1998-2004.
