USA Ultimate CEO Prepares for Retirement; Search for Successor Begins

Colorado Springs, Colo. (May 8, 2024)—After 15 years of guidance and service, USA Ultimate Chief Executive Officer Tom Crawford is set to retire at the end of 2024, marking the end of one of the longest tenures in modern national governing body leadership.

With Crawford’s impending departure on the horizon, the search for a new CEO begins. USA Ultimate has partnered with sport’s leading executive recruiting firm, TeamWork Consulting, to lead the organization’s search for its next CEO.

“The board is thankful to Dr. Crawford, who has led us with intelligence and integrity,” said Dave Klink, USA Ultimate Board President. “We have big shoes to fill, but Tom is leaving the organization in great shape. I am excited for us to find a dynamic and growth-oriented CEO who is able to collaborate with strategic partners and our members to help take ultimate to the next level.”

TeamWork Consulting is working closely with a board-appointed task force to identify and evaluate prospective candidates with Crawford remaining committed to facilitating a seamless transition later this year.

“We’re grateful to be working with Buffy and Brad at TeamWork Consulting,” added Klink. “As industry leaders with deep connections to many sport governing bodies and for-profit sports organizations, they have successfully helped many businesses find their next CEO. Their willingness to work with our task force to manage this search places us in very capable hands.”

Any interested candidates should apply directly with TeamWork Consulting, the executive search arm of TeamWork Online, at the below link. Buffy Filippell and Brad Stith are leading the search for TeamWork Consulting.

Contacting USA Ultimate directly will only delay consideration of your background and qualifications.

About USA Ultimate

USA Ultimate is a member of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and serves as the official national governing body for the sport of ultimate in the United States. USA Ultimate is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit membership organization with its national headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo. Founded in 1979 as the Ultimate Players Association, USA Ultimate is the largest flying disc organization in the world with more than 60,000 members, including athletes, coaches, observers and league and event organizers.

USA Ultimate organizes the full spectrum of ultimate in the U.S. and hosts several major events annually, including national championships for youth, college, elite and masters divisions, as well as the U.S. Open, a major international tournament. It also owns and operates the Triple Crown Tour, the highest and most competitive level of ultimate in the United States, consisting of men’s, women’s and mixed-gender divisions.

As one of 100+ member organizations of the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) – the international federation for flying disc sports and member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) – USA Ultimate is also responsible for the selection of U.S. National Teams for all major international events, including junior, U24, elite and masters world championships and the quadrennial World Games.