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.

US Chess, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN, 38557-3967
Phone: 931.787.1234

To download a directory of departments and responsibilities, please click here.

To see the directory of departments and responsibilities as a web page, please click here.

Press Inquiries: See Daniel Lucas below.

Chris was hired as our FIDE Events Manager in November 2019, handling title applications, international events qualifications and TD certification. He says, “I get a lot of satisfaction out of serving the chess community.” Outside of chess, he likes to play and watch soccer, spend time with his… 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

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

Chess Life/Chess Life Online 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

Brian joined the US Chess Communications Department in September 2020, though he had been a familiar name as a freelancer for Chess Life and CLO as far back as 2013. Based in St. Louis, the Mizzou journalist has covered several U.S. Championships, U.S. Junior and Sinquefield Cup tournaments, and he… Read More »

Brian Jerauld

Digital Assistant

bjerauld@uschess.org

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

Kory grew up playing chess with his father and now plays with his youngest son. Along with the competitive and intimate aspects of the game, Kory is attracted to the visual aspects of chess. He is drawn to the diverse designs of the pieces, from the simple to the intricate, as well as the variety… Read More »

Kory Kennedy

Art Director

kory.kennedy@uschess.org

Korey joined the US Chess staff full time in March 2021 after having served a few prior terms over the years in both the Tournament Director Certification & Ratings departments. He has been involved in the chess industry for most of his professional career, because he believes that “Chess is an… Read More »

Korey Kormick

Technical & Ratings Manager

korey.kormick@uschess.org

931.787.8783

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 as Senior Director of… 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

Carol Meyer 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 and board member of the World Chess Hall of Fame, she says she loves “the ability of chess to connect people from different cultures, ages and backgrounds. Chess is… Read More »

Jennifer Shahade

Women's Program Director

jshahade@uschess.org

US Chess Staff

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