USA Triathlon announced that private equity specialist Henry J. Brandon III (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Monica Paul (Dallas, Texas), Executive Director for the Dallas Sports Commission, have been elected to the USA Triathlon Board of Directors. Both will serve as independent directors for two-year terms starting in January 2020.
The election of Brandon — along with Dr. Tekemia Dorsey (Middle River, Md.), who was elected in October as the Mideast Region representative and joins the Board in January — represents a significant milestone for USA Triathlon as Brandon and Dorsey are the first African Americans to serve on the Board. In addition, with Paul’s election, the Board is comprised of a majority of female members for the first time.
“I am thrilled to welcome Monica and Henry to the USA Triathlon Board of Directors,” said Jacqueline McCook, USA Triathlon Board of Directors President. “The depth of their professional and personal experiences in business and sport will be extremely valuable as we chart our course through 2024 and beyond, particularly focusing on expanding engagement in our sport and reaching under-represented populations throughout the country. I am extremely proud of the dedication and professionalism of the USA Triathlon Board of Directors, and I look forward to Monica and Henry’s contributions as we continue to enhance our capabilities and perspectives."
Brandon is the Chief Operating Officer, Partner and Director at Nile Capital Group, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm specializing in making investments in the asset management industry. As an investor, advisor and financier to growth companies, Brandon has nearly 30 years of experience in private equity and an extensive track record of success partnering with executives and entrepreneurs to create companies of enduring value.
Prior to Nile Capital Group, Brandon served as Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo from 2011-2015; Managing Director at Vintage Fund Management from 2005-2010; President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Leeward Islands Lottery Holding Company from 2002-2004; Principal at William E. Simon & Sons from 1995-2002; and Assistant Vice President at Citi from 1989-1995.
Brandon serves or has served on several nonprofit boards, including the Advocates Foundation and the APGA Tour, where he is vice president and a founding board member; Coaching Corps Los Angeles; The Riordan Programs; Sound Body Sound Mind; The Friends of Expo Center; World Golf Foundation Diversity Task Force; Arthur Ashe Safe Passage; and the Inglewood Baseball Fund. He currently serves on the board of the National and Southern California Stanford Black Alumni Clubs, is a Stanford Admissions Volunteer and is a past member of the Stanford Athletic Board.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Stanford, where he was a member of two NCAA Championship tennis teams, and a Master of Business Administration from the UCLA Anderson School. Brandon and his wife, Monique, live in Los Angeles and have two children.
“I feel privileged to join the USA Triathlon Board and the talented organization led by Jacqueline McCook and Rocky Harris,” Brandon said. “I look forward to helping them find creative ways to grow the sport as well as share ideas to continue to find innovative ways to provide world-class leadership to our membership. Having played, coached and worked in a number of roles in sport at both the elite and grassroots level, I am hopeful that my efforts will add value to USA Triathlon. I believe I can leverage my financial, operational and leadership experiences to contribute to the continued success of the organization and support the tremendous athletes engaged in and committed to multisport.”
As Executive Director for the Dallas Sports Commission, Paul plays an essential role in implementing bid strategies and marketing programs that enhance Dallas' acquisition of sports competitions and events, including solicitation of Olympic, professional, collegiate and amateur sports, events and meetings. She was honored by Connect Sports in 2015 as one of the Top IX Women in the Sports Tourism Industry and by Connect Magazine as one of the "40 Under 40: Class of 2013," as a leader and innovator in the industry.
Prior to joining the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2008, Paul served as the Associate Director of Events at USA Volleyball from 2007-2008; the Director of Competition for the 2007 National Senior Games; the Director of International and Domestic Events for USA Taekwondo from 2004-2006; and Director of Events, Marketing and Sponsorships for the Junior Volleyball Association of Austin from 2001-2003.
An avid volleyball fan, Paul joined USA Volleyball in 1997 as the Technical Coordinator for the USA Women's National Team and was a part of the U.S. delegation for the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games. She remains actively involved in the sport, representing the U.S. as a Technical Delegate on the NORCECA Federation Commission.
Paul earned a Bachelor of Arts in physical education at the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in sports administration from the University of Northern Colorado. She has served on the National Senior Games Board of Directors and Executive Committee, the Heart of Dallas Board of Directors, and the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She currently serves on the SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors, the Jason Witten's SCORE Foundation Board of Directors, Women in Sports & Events (WISE) DFW Chapter Advisory Board, the University of North Texas Sports Entertainment Management Industry Advisory Board, the Connect Sports Advisory Board, and the Dallas Innovators in Sports & Events (DISE) Advisory Board. During the fall 2019 semester, Paul will teach Contemporary Issues in Sport Management at Southern Methodist University.
“I am honored and excited to be selected to serve on the USA Triathlon Board of Directors,” Paul said. “I look forward to working with the board and staff in contributing to the future growth of the sport at all levels.”
All officer seats— including President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer — will be elected by members of the Board at the first meeting of 2020 in January.
More information on the 2019 USA Triathlon Elections, including candidate platforms, can be found at usatriathlon.org/governance.
2020 USA Triathlon Board of Directors
Jacqueline McCook, President — Independent Director
Joel Rosinbum, Vice President — Elite Athlete Representative
Kevin Haas, Treasurer — West Region
Henry J. Brandon — Independent Director
Ben Collins — Elite Athlete Representative
Dr. Tekemia Dorsey — Mideast Region
Gabriela Gallegos — South Central Region
Chuck Graziano — Northeast Region
Susan Haag — Southeast Region
Monica Paul — Independent Director
Allysa Seely — Elite Athlete Representative
Keri Serota — North Central Region
Barry Siff — Ex Officio
About USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 events and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
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