Francisco Guadalupe Named Interim Executive Director

With Ranae Bartlett’s departure from US Chess to become the next mayor of Madison, Alabama, the US Chess Executive Board has named Francisco (Franc) Guadalupe as the Interim Executive Director effective October 13.

Bartlett will continue serving her duties through her last day of October 21. Guadalupe’s appointment as Interim Executive Director is for a 90-day term. The Executive Board is currently conducting a national search for the Executive Director position, with a desired start date by January 15, 2026.

Guadalupe returns to US Chess after retiring at the end of 2017 after many years of service to US Chess, including three-and-a-half years as Director of Events. Guadalupe also previously served as Interim Executive Director from June 2013 through October 2013.

Guadalupe’s decorated career includes several distinctions, awards, and achievements. In 2009, Guadalupe won the Tournament Director of the Year award from US Chess. In 2010, he was named Zonal President, representing US Chess at FIDE Congresses around the world through 2016.

Photo courtesy Maria Yassacova/Agon/FIDE

Guadalupe is also a FIDE International Arbiter and International Organizer with a Category A arbiter classification. He served as Deputy Chief Arbiter for the 2016 World Chess Championship match in New York between GM Magnus Carlsen and GM Sergey Karjakin.

Applications for the Executive Director position are open until 11:59 p.m., EDT, on October 17 (read more).