INDIANAPOLIS – The USA Track & Field Board of Directors has finalized a leadership plan that will extend the service of Interim CEO Mike McNees and institute a new committee structure designed to advance the organization’s strategic, commercial and operational objectives. The Board approved the plan at its meeting June 25-26 in Eugene, Ore.

McNees, USATF’s Chief Operating Officer who has served as interim CEO since September 2010, will continue to serve in that capacity as the Board activates three committees: Management, Strategic Positioning and Operations. The committees will work intimately with the Interim CEO and key staff members, and will engage all 15 voting board members, as a transition through 2012 Olympic preparations.

“It is important for USATF’s Board of Directors to create an environment that harnesses and unites the expertise and talents of each board member and the staff’s executive management team,” USATF President and Chairman Stephanie Hightower said. “We need to ensure we engage individuals where they can add value to the federation’s goals and future success.”

The USATF Board of Directors on September 13, 2010, announced it had voted to secure a leadership change in the CEO position. Since that time, it had conducted an exhaustive search for a new CEO. More than 100 candidates were initially identified and screened, with more than 25 being preliminarily interviewed. The search committee in January conducted face-to-face interviews with more than 10 of the top candidates, and three finalists had interviews before the full board earlier this year.