US Chess Staff

Meet the people who keep all the pieces moving. Please click on the staff member’s photo to learn more about them.

Chris was hired as our FIDE Events Manager in November 2019, handling title applications and international events qualifications. He says, “I get a lot of satisfaction out of serving the chess community. I don’t play as often as I’d like and people can probably see why if they tune in to my now… Read More »

Christopher Bird

Fide Events Manager

christopher.bird@uschess.org

Ron has been making sure that all the moves in our magazines are correct since June 1994.

IM Ron Burnett

Technical Editor

Joan is in her 51st year working for US Chess, currently known to many of our organizers around the country for making sure their TLAs appear online and print correctly. That’s not a typo—50 plus years, starting in 1969. The only other place she has worked besides US Chess was an eight-week stint… Read More »

Joan DuBois

Tournament Life Announcements (tla's)

jdubois@uschess.org

931.787.1234

Chris has been with US Chess since June 2017, helping make sure that all membership information is up to date. New to chess, she has found that “chess means so many different things to people for a variety of reasons. Working in membership allows me to interact with many of our members. Very often… Read More »

Chris Green

Membership Associate

chris.green@uschess.org

931.787.1234

Although he was only hired in February 2019, John has been writing for Chess Life as a freelancer since 2013. His answer to, “What do you like about chess?” is simple: “Everything! People ask if chess is art, science, or sport. My answer is that it’s all three. There are awe-inducing moments of… Read More »

John Hartmann

Clo/chess Life Editor

john.hartmann@uschess.org

Geoff has been with US Chess since October 2018, building our Development Department from the ground up. He has been attracted to chess for most of his life, because of, as he puts it, "The endless possibilities!" He came to us after working as a development professional in healthcare and higher… Read More »

Geoffrey Isaak

Director Of Development

geoff.isaak@uschess.org

931.787.3429

Alan has been with US Chess since October 1989, and in his current role he makes sure all the information in our print publications is correct in fact and spelling. His motto is, “If I don’t know the answer, I will find the answer!” Over the years, he has also been the advertising manager and a… Read More »

Alan Kantor

Editorial Assistant/copy Editor

akantor@uschess.org

Susan started with US Chess in February 2005 and has found scholastic chess to be her favorite aspect of the game. She watched her two sons grow up playing chess and she “loves the fact that most chess players always seem to want to help other players who have an interest in getting better.”… Read More »

Susan Kantor

Scholastic Associate & Clubs

skantor@uschess.org

931.787.1234

Pete has been at US Chess since April 2018, although he has been involved in the game most of his life. “I enjoy the challenge and the focus associated with playing a tournament game. I also love the community that the game immerses you in. Many of my best lifelong friends are chess players. At its… Read More »

Pete Karagianis

Assistant Director Of Events

pete.karagianis@uschess.org

931.200.9477

Traci started with US Chess in April 1986. She has found that she likes that “chess can help children in their everyday decision making and problem solving in the classroom.” Outside of work, she loves photography and being a part of transporting animals across the United States to rescues, fosters… Read More »

Traci Lee

Membership Associate

tlee@uschess.org

931.787.1234

Dan has worked for US Chess since 2005, starting as the Director of Publications. In that role, he also served as editor of Chess Life, ultimately becoming the second-longest serving editor of our flagship publication. In May 2018 he was promoted to his current position in which he has… Read More »

Daniel Lucas

Senior Director Of Strategic Communication

dlucas@uschess.org

931.200.5509

Melinda joined US Chess in April 2017 as an Assistant Editor. In her current position, she is the editor of all of our print publications besides Chess Life. She served as the second female editor for Chess Life before stepping down in 2020 and has been a freelance writer for both CLO and Chess… Read More »

Melinda Matthews

Publications Editor

mmatthews@uschess.org

Sharon started with US Chess in late 2016. Previous to US Chess, she worked for 23 years as the Administrative Assistant for a United Methodist Church in Deleware. "I worked with many pastors through the years and alongside many wonderful volunteers which enabled me to fulfill my love of helping… Read More »

Sharon McClure

Membership Associate

sharon.mcclure@uschess.org

931.787.1234

Carol started at US Chess in October 2017. Before coming on board, she spent more than a decade in leadership for a NASA and NOAA-funded community of earth scientists and technology professionals. “Much like US Chess, this community both challenged and rewarded me with professional growth and… Read More »

Carol Meyer

Executive Director

Cmeyer@uschess.org

931.787.1234

Judy will reach her 50th anniversary with US Chess on October 12, 2020! You don’t stay involved in the game this long, watching us grow from 1,000 to over 90,000, without developing some insights: “I like the fact that chess can be rewarding on so many levels. You can take the game seriously or you… Read More »

Judy Misner

Director Of Administration

jmisner@uschess.org

931.787.1234

Jennifer worked in publications as an editorial assistant for nine years, took a break, then came back to us in 2018 to handle our governance matters. Her favorite thing about chess? “That it brings people of different ages, cultures, and economic backgrounds together.” Outside of work, she enjoys… Read More »

Jennifer Pearson

Governance Coordinator

governance@uschess.org

931.787.1234

The man who works to make sure our events come off without a hitch started with US Chess in 2016. He likes the game because “chess is perhaps the last true meritocracy left.” Outside of chess, he enjoys cooking, working out, and sleeping.

Boyd Reed

Director Of Events

boyd.reed@uschess.org

931.787.2244

Natasha, who started at US Chess in November 2015, handles many graphic design duties for us, but her main focus is Chess Life Kids. She came to us after working at The Boys and Girls Club in Bloomington, Indiana and the Indiana Daily Student at Indiana University. She also served on the Executive… Read More »

Natasha Roberts

Creative Content Coordinator

nroberts@uschess.org

Debra has been making sure the numbers add up at US Chess since 2014 after an accounting/controlling career that has always involved the manufacturing industry. She likes that chess offers camaraderie between players, whether they know each other or not, and how young children can go from running… Read More »

Debra Robison

Senior Accountant

debra.robison@uschess.org

931.787.1234

Jennifer was hired in 2006 as our Digital Editor and was promoted in 2018 to her current position. A two-time U.S. Women’s Champion, she says she loves “the ability of chess to connect people from different cultures, ages and backgrounds. Chess is also a prism to analyze history and art.” She hosts… Read More »

Jennifer Shahade

jshahade@uschess.org

US Chess Staff

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