(VELONEWS) — USA Cycling will have a new CEO on Monday, as its current chairman of the board Brendan Quirk will step into the role vacated by Rob DeMartini, who is leaving to head up Purple Innovation, a mattress and pillow company.
News of DeMartini's departure surfaced earlier this week. DeMartini, formerly CEO at the running shoe company New Balance, joined USA Cycling in 2019, just in time for the governing body to contend with mass cancellations and postponements of bike races nation- and worldwide.
"I wholeheartedly enjoyed my time at USA Cycling," said DeMartini. "We have a team fully committed to our mission of growing the sport and supporting Team USA. While Covid presented immense challenges to the organization, we're well-positioned for rapid growth going into 2022 and I look forward to continuing to support the USA Cycling Foundation."
Quirk has held a USA Cycling license since the 1980s. He co-founded Competitive Cyclist in his home state of Arkansas, and sold it to Backcountry.com. He went on to serve as president of Rapha North America, which is now headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Continuing his work with Arkansas-based cycling, Quirk was cycling program director for the Runway Group, the Northwest Arkansas investment group anchored by Steuart and Tom Walton, who have poured millions into cycling infrastructure in their home state.
Quirk has been on USA Cycling's board since 2019, and was just elected into the chairman role in October, replacing Bob Stapleton.
"I've worked side-by-side with Rob for two years, and I feel deep gratitude that we had such a capable leader to lead us through the difficulties presented by the pandemic," said Quirk. "The organization is far better off for his time here."
Quirk spoke to VeloNews in late October about his vision for American cycling.
