MADISON – The U.S. Chess Executive Board has named Ranae Bartlett its interim executive director. Bartlett, the Madison City Council president, will be working remotely as she assumes the new role within the U.S. Chess Federation.
“I am honored to be in a position to help U.S. Chess during this time of transition,” she said. “The mission of U.S. Chess is to ’empower people, enrich lives, and enhance communities through chess.’ That is something I have been committed to doing for over a decade.”
Bartlett has served as the organization’s director of operations since September and, according to a statement from the federation, she will continue in that role as well.
“Bartlett will continue her duties as Director of Operations while also serving as Interim,” the statement said. “The Executive Board is currently conducting a national search for the Executive Director position, with a desired start date by May 31.”
Bartlett will be taking over for Carol Meyer, who departed to take a position as CEO/executive director at another organization. U.S. Chess is the official governing body and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization for chess players and chess supporters in the United States.
Bartlett previously worked as a volunteer for U.S. Chess, serving as a delegate to the 2023 annual meeting and co-chaired the 2022 Chess in Education Committee for U.S. Chess.
In addition to her duties as president of the Madison City Council, she is the president of the Madison City Chess League. Bartlett introduced chess programs into the Madison City school system in 2013. Madison City Schools has more than 5,000 students in school chess clubs. The league has extended its program throughout Madison County.
