Ranae Bartlett Named Executive Director

Ranae Bartlett, who has been serving as the Interim Executive Director since February 10, has been named as the US Chess Executive Director effective March 16, 2024. Previously, Bartlett had been hired as the Director of Operations on September 5, 2023. Prior to working for US Chess, she was an Assistant General Counsel for a Fortune 5 company as well as Executive Director for the non-profit chess organization she founded.

US Chess President Randy Bauer states, “Ranae Bartlett is an accomplished leader in both the chess community and in her hometown. As a volunteer, she has led our Chess in Education Committee, and she has served on her city's school board and currently on its city council. Professionally, she has been the US Chess Director of Operations and Interim Executive Director, where she is instrumental in the continued implementation of the Safe Play requirements that were put in place by our previous Executive Director, Carol Meyer."

Kevin Pryor, Vice President of US Chess, adds, “Bartlett was clearly the strongest and best-suited selection among several excellent final candidates. She knows the US Chess community and has distinguished herself while on various committees and as our Interim Executive Director. She is the right person to lead the organization and we look forward to all that she will do in service to chess in our country.”

Bartlett, who is the 18th person to hold the title of Executive Director (not including interim/acting ones), said, “I appreciate the trust and confidence the Executive Board has placed in me. I look forward to helping US Chess plan for the future while meeting its mission to ‘empower people, enrich lives and enhance communities through chess.’”

Learn more about Ranae on her staff page here.