USOC names Wood as new member of Board of Directors

Robert L. Wood becomes the 16th member of the USOC Board of Directors ©USOC

Robert L. Wood, former chairman, President and chief executive of the Chemtura Corporation, has been appointed by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to its Board of Directors, it has been announced.

Wood, 60, served in his executive roles at Chemtura, which focuses on specialty chemicals for various industrial sectors, from 2006 until 2008 after it merged with Crompton Corporation, where he had served in the same role beginning in 2004.

Wood joined Crompton after having spent 27 years at The Dow Chemical Company, where he progressed from the role of sales trainee up to Business Group President.

In his time at Dow, Wood held positions in nearly every business department and worked directly with the chief executive to manage a $5 billion (£3 billion/€4 billion) portfolio of global businesses.

Wood becomes the 16th member of the USOC Board of Directors joining a group which includes America's four International Committee members - Larry Probst, Anita DeFrantz, James Easton and Angela Ruggiero.

Earlier this year three new members were appointed, led by Dan Doctoroff, the former Deputy Mayor of New York City.

He was joined by Kevin White, vice-president and director of athletics at Duke University, and Steve Mesler, a former bobsleigher who represented the US in three Olympics, including winning a gold medal at Vancouver 2010.

"The USOC Board of Directors is a dedicated group of volunteers committed to providing America’s elite athletes with the resources they need to be successful,” said Probst, the chairman of the USOC.

"I’d like to thank Bob for his willingness to serve in this role and help advance the US Olympic and Paralympic Movements.”

New United States Olympic Committee Board member Robert L. Wood claims that the members of Team USA are "some of the most extraordinary people on the planet" ©Getty Images

Wood, a graduate of the University of Michigan, was named chairman of the National Gymnastics Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2009.

He also serves on the Board for Praxair Corporation, an industrial gases company, and Jorden Corporation, a private equity firm.

“Bob has a long and successful career in business and brings to our Board a unique background and set of capabilities that will make our organisation better,” said Dave Ogrean, chairman of the USOC Nominating and Governance Committee.

“I look forward to working with Bob and our entire board to help Team USA succeed on and off the field of play.”

Wood maintained an interest in sport throughout his career, serving as vice-chairman of the Indiana Sports Corporation from 1992 to 1994, and as a member of the USA Gymnastics Board of Directors between 1994 and 2008.

In 2009, he was named chairman of the National Gymnastics Foundation’s Board of Directors.

He also served on the National Collegiate Athletic Association Leadership Advisory Board.

“The men and women that make up Team USA are some of the most extraordinary people on the planet and it’s an absolute honour to be associated with them,” said Wood.

“I’m hopeful that my experience and skill-sets can be a positive addition to a very strong Board of Directors and I’m excited to get started.”