The USA Field Hockey Board of Directors announced the election of Jim Johnson as Chair of the Board. Johnson replaces Pam Hixon, who stepped down from the chair in October 2009.

Jim Johnson joined the USA Field Hockey Board of Directors in 2005 as an Independent Member, and currently serves on the Advancement Committee and Finance/Audit Committee. In that capacity, he helped develop a strategic plan for the Association. He also helped manage the Beijing & Beyond Campaign, which supported the U.S. Olympic Team for Women’s Field Hockey on their journey to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

“I am grateful to the Board for their confidence in my ability to serve as Chair and consider this appointment an honor,” said Johnson. “The recently completed Women’s Junior World Cup in Boston is just the start for USA Field Hockey in becoming a leader in world hockey and I look forward to the challenges of sustaining this momentum.”

Professionally, Johnson is a Director at Kellogg Brown & Root Services. Johnson has served on the board of several other non-profit organizations, including the Committee of Visitors of the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering, Vanderbilt University Alumni Association and Texas Southern University Board of Advisors. Johnson has a PhD in Civil Engineering from Vanderbilt University.

“In addition, I would like to thank Pam Hixon for her years of service and leadership,” said Johnson.

Hixon resigned from her Chair position in October, but will continue to serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

“I have enjoyed my tenure as the Chair of the USFHA Board of Directors,” said Hixon. “I am proud of the accomplishments of USA Field Hockey over the past three years, including the performances of our Men's and Women's High Performance teams in recent major international competitions and the event successes of the FIH Congress and the Women’s Junior World Cup. I extend my gratitude for the contributions of all of our athletes, coaches, umpires, national office staff, Board colleagues, and, most importantly, our membership for helping us take positive strides forward.

“In stepping down, I look forward to continued service to the sport of field hockey and the pursuit of exciting opportunities for me and White Mountain Sports and College Connection,” said Hixon.

Hixon has served on the Board of Directors since 2003, and was elected Chair in 2007. Hixon served as head coach of the USA Women’s National Team from 1993 to 1998. She coached the team to a 5th place finish at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, and guided the squad to a best-ever bronze medal finish at the 1994 World Cup. As a player, Hixon competed for the USA national squad from 1969-79. Currently, Hixon owns and operates White Mountain Sports and College Connection field hockey camps in Hadley, Mass.

“I want to personally thank Pam for her service as Chair for the past three years,” said Heather Lewis, Interim Chief Operating Officer of USA Field Hockey. “She has led this Association with integrity, and the effort and time she has put forth as Chair goes beyond the definition of commitment.”

Source: USA Field Hockey