Board of Directors Announces Board Expansion, New Members

Indian River State College– David J. Gascon, Chair of the Board of USA Diving, has announced the election of three new members to the organization’s Board of Directors: Dan Price, John Kiani and Gretchen Sheirr. This occurred with the recent expansion of the Board’s membership from 15 to 18, which will also enable the election of a second coach and an additional athlete representative—both to be elected by their respective constituencies.

“The Board is thrilled and deeply grateful to welcome these three outstanding leaders,” said Gascon. “In a time of financial pressures that have challenged our high-performance funding, exacerbated by recent cuts from our traditional external funders, this leadership infusion is both timely and vital.”

Board Expansion to 18 Members Enables New Voices

This strategic increase from 15 to 18 seats allows the Board to include:

• A second coach, bringing greater technical and athletic support expertise, addressing a concern the Board has had since 2020.
• An additional athlete representative will also be elected, boosting athlete advocacy and ensuring that diver voices are heard and considered in decision-making.

USA Diving will oversee the elections from the respective constituency groups.

Introducing the New Board Directors

John Kiani

John Kiani joined Energy Harbor in 2019 to lead the successful operating and financial turnaround of Energy Harbor into a leading, carbon free power infrastructure and supply company.  As Executive Chairman, he was responsible for overseeing the board of directors, providing leadership to the executive management team, providing strategic and financial direction in all areas of the Company, and driving a corporate culture of performance excellence.  Under his leadership, Energy Harbor saved four nuclear units from early retirement and turned around a major retail energy supply business, resulting in the preservation of greater than 2,200 jobs. These four operating nuclear units represent 33 million MWhs of annual generation, 12% of PJM nuclear generation and 10% of PJM carbon free power produced. Through his industry and financial experience, John also led the successful sale of Energy Harbor to Vistra Corp. John retired from Energy Harbor in March 2024 after the transaction close. 

Prior to joining Energy Harbor, John was the Co-Founder and a Portfolio Manager at Cove Key Management, a multi strategy investment fund focused on commodities as well as utility, power generator, energy, and infrastructure businesses.  John also previously worked as a Research Analyst on Wall Street where he was ranked as one of the top analysts for his Independent Power Producer industry research and stock picking. Most recently he served as a Managing Director at Deutsche Bank where he was the head of North American Utilities, Power, and Pipelines equity research.

John has extensive energy industry experience and began his finance career in the power industry at Enron. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree and from Rice University with a Master of Business Administration degree. John resides in Houston, Texas and is a member of the board of directors of Covenant House Texas, a nonprofit youth homeless shelter and advocacy organization.

Dan Price

Dan Price started his career in sports marketing in 1987 as Creative Director for the Denver Nuggets. In 1996, when ASCENT purchased the Quebec Nordiques (renamed the Colorado Avalanche), Dan became Creative Director of both teams. During his tenure, his department redesigned the Denver Nuggets logo and created the new Avalanche logo. This experience built valuable industry contacts that became the foundation for his future success in sports branding.

Dan left the teams in 1997 and co-founded Adrenalin, a sports branding agency, where he served as President and Creative Director for over 24 years. His sports industry experience, brand development methods, and ability to understand client objectives were critical to Adrenalin's success. Under his direction, the creative staff produced complete brand makeovers and marketing campaigns for teams and leagues across the country. Notable projects include the "Denver Broncos Country" campaign, logo redesigns for the Chicago Fire and Phoenix Coyotes, branding and logo design for World Lacrosse, and a rebrand of the LA Kings.

Through 24 years of service, Dan established Adrenalin as a premier resource for teams and organizations looking to improve their position within the sports and entertainment industries. In June 2021, Dan sold Adrenalin to Real FiG Advertising + Marketing and joined the team as Brand Marketing Director.

Throughout his career, Dan has overseen branding and campaign development for teams, college conferences, the USOPC, and numerous National Governing Bodies including USA Archery, USA Cycling, USA Weightlifting, USA Fencing, USA Karate, and USA Field Hockey.

Dan enjoys sharing his experiences with other marketing and sports professionals through public speaking and mentoring programs and is often called upon by local media outlets to share his opinions on sports industry developments. He has held several board positions within sports industry organizations, including the Advisory Council for the Sports and Entertainment Management program at the University of Colorado Denver Graduate Business School, Bicycle Colorado, and the Denver Sports Commission.

Gretchen Sheirr

Gretchen Sheirr is a seasoned sports executive with over two decades of experience with the Houston Rockets, currently serving as the President of Business Operations. Sheirr began her career in sports marketing with the Houston Hotshots, a minor league indoor soccer team, followed by an internship in Portland, Oregon, selling tickets. In 2001, she joined the Houston Rockets as a Season Ticket Account Executive.  Demonstrating exceptional leadership and strategic acumen, she advanced through several key positions within the organization:

   •   Senior Director of Ticket Sales (2001–2010): Sheirr led initiatives to enhance ticket sales strategies and improve customer engagement.

   •   Vice President of Sales and Services (2010–2017): She oversaw sales and service operations, focusing on revenue growth and fan satisfaction.

   •   Chief Revenue Officer (2017–2019): Sheirr was responsible for driving all revenue-generating activities, including ticket sales, corporate partnerships, and merchandising.

   •   Chief Operating Officer (2019–2020): She managed the organization’s day-to-day operations, ensuring efficiency across various departments.

   •   President of Business Operations (2020–present): In her current role, Sheirr oversees all business aspects of the Rockets, including sales, marketing, communications, finance, legal, human resources, and the management of the Toyota Center. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Gretchen is committed to community engagement and diversity initiatives. She is a founding board member of WISE (Women in Sports and Events) Houston, an organization dedicated to empowering women in the sports industry. Additionally, she actively participates in Houston’s Executive Women’s Partnership, contributing to the advancement of women in leadership roles. 

Gretchen’s dedication to fostering inclusive environments and her strategic vision have significantly contributed to the Houston Rockets’ success and have established her as a respected leader in the sports industry.

A native of Spring, Texas, Gretchen attended Louisiana State University (LSU), where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business/Marketing and was a four-year letter winner as a diver. She is a Sports Business Journal “Forty Under 40” honoree, Sheirr is a sports marketing and revenue-generation expert.

Leadership’s Response to Recent Funding Challenges

The recent cuts in high-performance funding by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and other outside sources of revenue, have placed USA Diving at a critical juncture. In response, this Board expansion brings fresh perspectives and new skill sets to:

• Secure sustainable partnerships and sponsor relationships.
• Strengthen operational resilience and financial oversight.
• Elevate athlete and coach representation in strategic decision-making.

“Our sport faces real challenges,” said Gascon. “These new board members bring a breadth of experience and a deep commitment to volunteer service. Their generosity in stepping forward, especially during a financial crunch, speaks volumes about their belief in USA Diving’s mission.”

Chair Gascon concluded: “We are fortunate to have attracted such accomplished individuals who are eager to volunteer their time and expertise. Together, with our athletes and coaches, this Board is better equipped than ever to navigate our financial landscape and ensure USA Diving’s future success and visibility.”