COLORADO SPRINGS – Jim Smith (Mount Prospect, Ill.) was unanimously elected president of USA Hockey here today at the organization’s Board of Directors meeting that culminated the four-day USA Hockey Annual Congress.
 
Smith succeeds Ron DeGregorio, who retired after 12 years in the position.
 
“I’m honored and humbled for the opportunity to serve as president of such a wonderful organization,” said Smith, who for the last 20 years has been a part of USA Hockey’s executive committee, first as secretary and since 2003 as treasurer. “To follow in the footsteps of Walter Bush and Ron DeGregorio is a difficult task, but with the help of our Board and everyone involved, I look forward to continuing to build on the solid foundation that is currently in place.”
 
Smith will also serve as president of the USA Hockey Foundation.
 
Over the last 30 years, Smith has been involved in nearly every facet of the organization, including 28 years as a member of the Youth Council.
 
OTHER ELECTION NEWS
 
John Beadle was re-elected as vice president and chair of the adult council
Dave Klasnick was re-elected as vice president and chair of the youth council
Donna Guariglia was elected as treasurer
Sarah Fraser and Phil Verchota were re-elected as athlete directors
Don Mulder and Mike Bonish were elected as director representatives to the executive committee
Shelley Looney was re-elected as athlete representative to the executive committee
 
NOTES: DeGregorio and longtime USA Hockey President Walter Bush were affirmed by USA Hockey’s Board of Directors as co-chairs of the Board … DeGregorio was honored with a lengthy standing ovation following his closing remarks at the Board  meeting … DeGregorio honored several individual with the President’s Awards throughout the four-day Annual Congress including Michele Amidon, Joe Bonnett, Guy Gosselin, Roger Grillo, Donna Guariglia, Ty Hennes, Casey Jorgensen, Donna Kauffman, Steve Laing, Shelley Looney, Bob Mancini, Dave Margenau, Ken Martel, Lee Meyer, Scott Paluch, and Kenny Rausch … Rich Becker and Dennis Green were elected director emeritus … Jim Dewhirst was affirmed by the Board as chair of the officials section … Joe Bertagna was re-elected as NCAA Director; J.J. O’Connor was re-elected as chair of the disabled section; and Bob Mathson was re-elected chair of the high school section … Julie Chu and Jamie Hagerman Phinney were re-elected as athlete directors, while Craig Conroy, Molly Engstrom, Taylor Lipsett and Freddy Meyer were newly elected as athlete directors.