The USCF is one of the most important chess organizations in the United States. It is supposed to be a role model chess organization leading this country. The opposite happened instead. The level of divisiveness and dirty politics dramatically jumped starting in August 2003. Some chess politicians cared more about their own political careers and ego than the welfare of chess in the United States. The worst took place in the last election when an individual with conviction records was elected to the Executive Board. This is totally UNACCEPTABLE but politics went on as usual.
I want much better things for chess than that. I love chess too much and it pains me to see how the USCF is being destroyed because of people like this. And this is why I have worked hard to find the best candidates from various backgrounds to run in the next election. The USCF needs new blood. We need new energy, new passion and dedication.
Randy is another person I asked to run in the next Executive Board election. His financial and chess expertise would be very important for the USCF. In the middle of some of the nastiest political wars, Randy stayed above all of it and he did many good things for this federation. Thank you Randy for stepping forward to run in the next election to help the USCF and US Chess.
About Randy Bauer
Randy Bauer has been actively involved as a chess player, coach, director, writer, editor, and elected state and national representative for over 30 years. He is a life member of the USCF, a national master, former Iowa state champion and Minnesota junior, junior high and senior high champion. As a competitor, he has won over 30 Grand Prix tournaments.
As a volunteer, Randy has served on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota and Iowa State Chess Associations as well as a one-year term on the Executive Board of the United States Chess Federation. He has also served as President and Editor of the state newsletter for the Iowa State Chess Association. As a chess author, he has published hundreds of instructional articles and book reviews. He won the Chess Journalists of America award for the best chess instructional article in 2004.
Randy has over 20 years professional experience in budget and finance, including nearly 7 years as budget director for the State of Iowa. During that time, the State received multiple national awards for innovation and excellence in its budget processes and financial reporting.
While Randy was on its Executive Board, the USCF achieved a balanced budget – something it had not accomplished in eight previous years. Randy is committed to honest finances and improved services for USCF members and will provide seasoned, sensible leadership on the Executive Board.
Excellant…I think we are on the same wavelength, Susan, concerning a turnover of USCF. Thats two great candidates.
I played Randy twice while we were both in high school, at the Minnesota State HS Championships. I managed a draw with him in 1975 and he ground me down the next year. What sticks in my mind, however, was an article he wrote for the Minnesota Chess Journal in 1976, reporting on that year’s HS championship. Randy wrote very kindly about the draw we’d had the previous year, described me as someone with “somewhat eccentric opening ideas” (absolutely true) but who is “always tough.” He added that I succumbed to him after a “tough middlegame.” I had a lot of respect for a high school student who could have been very disparaging of me and my play, but chose instead to affirm me even though I was an opponent he beat rather easily. I’m guessing Randy has retained that solid character, whether he recalls that incident or not.:)
He beat me one year in the world open. Since then, I havent had the guts to go back to the board and play. I’ll support him on the board though.
This Chessbase
Story is hilarious. The part about the umbrella is the funniest thing I read all day.
No, I dont cheat, but its hilarious.
Great Susan. Randy is top gun. Super choice. He has my vote and my help in getting elected.
Susan you are doing an excellent job of finding the very best people. That is the key to success.
I now have great hope for the future of chess in USA.
I too think Randy will make a great candidate, but it really seems that efforts to reform the USCF meet with great oppostition.
Wouldn’t everyone be happier if an alternate organization, staffed with people of Randy’s caliber have a better chance of getting the job done.
Specifically, couldn’t like minded people for a National Scholastic Chess organization without all the bagage of the USCF?
2 great choices by Susan so far.
His resume sounds excellent, and the one on the PFM website is even better! Clearly, anyone who can manage a State Budget, has the right kind of background to evaluate a non-profit like the USCF. But the question I have is will they have the time to provide the leadership, and evaluate the personnel that will be and are responsible for running the USCF on the day to day basis? Because that is where it sounds like the need for a change agent is the greatest. Finally, if I may offer a comment, I sense that a prerequisite for being able to manage and lead the USCF as a business is mastery at the game. And to this I respectfully disagree.
I am most grateful for Susan’s support of my campaign. I agree with the previous comment that mastery at chess is not necessary to be an effective member of the Board — in fact, Joel Channing, a current board membere who I greatly admire, is not a particularly strong player. I think it is useful to have players of differing strengths and outlooks represented on the Board. I have a broad chess background, including being a nationally ranked junior player, a state champion, and a rated master. I like to think that those experiences help me understand areas where the USCF needs to support key parts of its membership.
When all is said and done, Randy’s got my vote!
Being an active or former participant in the sport that you are managing can both help and hinder a manger. That said, I am confident that Randy’s positive, active, open managerial style can only benefit the USCF and encourage new participation, both from players as well as sponsors. With the USCF led by managers whom promote win-win solutions to organizational problems over win-lose scenarios, organized chess can only grow.