Former local congresswoman Mary Bono named interim President & CEO of USA Gymnastics
Former local congresswoman and valley resident Mary Bono has been appointed as interim president and chief executive officer of USA Gymnastics.
According to the Board of Directors of USA Gymnastics, the move will be effective immediately and Bono will serve in the role until the board finds a permanent president and CEO.
CBS Local 2 & KESQ reached out to Bono for comment, she responded with a statement:
“I am delighted to reconnect with the sport that was such an important part of my life growing up,” Bono said. “I look forward to working with the entire gymnastics community during these challenging times to create a safe, supportive and healthy environment where our gymnasts can achieve their fullest potential and our community can thrive.”
The announcement comes a month after then-President and CEO Kerry Perry announced her resignation.
Read: Embattled USA Gymnastics President Kerry Perry resigns after 9 months
Perry was widely criticized for what many considered to be inadequate action and boilerplate soundbites following the Larry Nassar scandal. Nassar, a former USA Gymnastics national team doctor, is currently serving an at least 100-year prison sentence after sexually abusing nearly 200 women and girls under the guise of medical treatment.
Read: Larry Nassar apologizes, gets 40 to 125 years for decades of sexual abuse
Bono is the widow of legendary entertainer Sonny Bono. The pair got married in 1986 and lived in Palm Springs throughout the duration of their marriage, participating in local politics and running a small business. At the time of his death in 1998, Sonny was serving as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 44th District. Mary was elected to fill the remainder of his Congressional term and would go on to serve more than 14 years in Congress.
Watch: KESQ’s Karen Devine speaks with Mary on the 20th anniversary of Sonny’s death
On top of her business and political experience, Bono grew up an accomplished gymnast, training in a variety of clubs with several different coaches over 10 years.
She has also championed the protection of youth from the opioid abuse epidemic and was one of the first in Congress to raise this issue to a higher profile. She has won many awards for her efforts, including the “Champion for Drug Free Kids” from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America. In November of 2017, she joined Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin to warn the public of Illegal pharmaceuticals.
Watch: Mary Bono, DA Hestrin warn public of Illegal pharmaceuticals
Bono currently lives in Alexandria, VA with her husband, former astronaut Steve Oswald. Two of her children followed in her footsteps and learned gymnastics at a local Boys and Girls Club.
According to the USAG board, the organization will be implementing numerous recommendations made by Deborah Daniels in her report, following her independent review of the organization’s safe sport policies and procedures, as well as requests made by the U.S. Olympic Committee.
The board says changes include amending the organization’s bylaws and the appointment of an entirely new board of directors, made up of eight independent members and seven from within the gymnastics community.
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Noticias en español: Telemundo 15
