COLORADO SPRINGS. January 25 2005, – Rebecca Howard’s greatest challenge is about to come to an end.  On January 28, 2005, Howard will retire as Chief Executive Officer of USA Volleyball, the sport’s National Governing Body.

“I have held many positions within this organization.  Including the office of President, without a doubt I have found being the CEO to be the most challenging and the most draining,” admits Howard.  “I am absolutely positive that only some of the most senior of staff would know how much business goes through the offices of USA Volleyball or of the unrelenting demands of being a part of the international volleyball community.

“Thank goodness for our dedicated staff,” she added.  “I will miss them more than they will miss me.”

Howard became interim CEO of USA Volleyball in September 2002 at the request of the USAV Personnel Committee.  What started out to be a six-month “patch” for the staff became a two-and-a-half year stay.

Howard has also resigned her positions on the Executive Committee and Board of Administration for both the FIVB, the international governing body of volleyball, and NORCECA, the continental volleyball federation (comprised of North America, Central America and the Caribbean) of which the United States is a member.

She will, however, continue to serve on the USA Volleyball Executive Committee and Board of Directors as the Past President through the end of the 2005-08 quadrennium.

“Becky is a special leader who can excite constituents to work hard and follow her lead,” said USA Volleyball President, Al Monaco.  “She did that throughout her time as a volunteer, especially while she was President, and she did it again with staff while she was acting CEO.

“USAV is much better because of Becky,” Monaco added.  “We will miss her leadership of staff, but she will continue to make her presence known as a member of the Executive Committee in her role a Past President.”

Howard has been on the USAV Board of Directors for more than 25 years and the Executive Committee for a total of 15 years.  She was elected as the first woman Executive Vice-President in 1991 and elected as the first woman President in 1995.

With her last days as CEO quickly approaching, Howard can reflect back on her tenure with USA Volleyball and feel good about what she helped accomplish.

“I feel great about the state of our corporation at this point in time,” she said.  “On a personal level, retirement is long overdue, and I truly feel it is time to take a huge step back from the fray.  The success of USA Volleyball and the sport will never be far from my thoughts.”

Howard addressed the Board of Directors as CEO for the last time at the annual Winter Meetings on January 15 at the Antlers Hilton Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and offered these parting words:

“For those who were always supportive, I know who most of you are, and you have my undying gratitude.  I will always treasure your steadfastness.

“For those with whom the debate was forever brisk but never spiteful (Joe and others), I respect your contribution and treasure your friendship.

“And, for those of you who found that we were regularly on different sides of a very barbed fence, please know “the good of the game” was always my intent.”

The organization’s new CEO, long-time USA Men’s National Team head coach Doug Beal, begins his duties on February 1, 2005.