USRowing Hires Richard Butler as Inclusion Manager

PRINCETON, N.J. - USRowing is pleased to announce the hiring of Richard Butler as its new Inclusion Manager, the organization announced on Tuesday. Previously, Butler had served as the executive director of the Three Rivers Rowing Association in Pittsburgh, Pa.

As inclusion manager, Butler will provide strategic advice, counsel, resources and insights on diversity and inclusion-related issues. Among his roles, Butler will develop, drive and deliver an integrated diversity strategy, create a "diversity in rowing" national awareness program and chair USRowing's Task Force on Access, Affordability and Diversity. He also will develop and provide resources, materials and consulting for USRowing members and athletic directors, as well as scholastic, university and club coaches, seeking to adopt USRowing's diversity initiatives.

"I am excited to expand the sport of rowing to diverse and traditionally under served communities around the country," Butler said. "Diversity and inclusion are more than an abstract concept at USRowing or the right thing to do. As the national governing body for rowing, we need to promote and model diversity and inclusion at all levels. Inclusion increases the number of people exposed to rowing, and this exposure increases our rowing talent pool."

Butler earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Slippery Rock University and a master's degree in organizational leadership from Geneva College. He served as the director of fitness for Capitol Hill Squash and Fitness from 1983-90 and as the strength training director for the Greater Pittsburgh YMCA from 1990-93 before starting his own private fitness training center. In 2006, he took over as executive director at Three Rivers Rowing Association.

"Rowing stands at the edge of an opportunity to engage the American people by bringing the sport to new and different places within our country. The creation of the inclusion manager position is the logical step to move forward from our current task force model," said USRowing Chief Executive Officer Glenn Merry. "Richard Butler brings the experience and the tools to the job that we need to begin this initiative in a serious manner. I look forward to his leadership and advice moving ahead. The future success and stability of our sport will be based on how relevant we become and how inclusive we are today."

USRowing is a nonprofit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for the sport of rowing in the United States. USRowing's Official Suppliers are Hudson Boat Works and Boathouse Sports; its Official Patron is Concept2; its Official Electronics Outfitter is Nielsen Kellerman; its Official Timer is Powerhouse Timing; and its Preferred Printer is Sport Graphics Printing. USRowing also receives generous support from the National Rowing Foundation.

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