Wade Blackwood, executive director of the American Canoe Association, has resigned his position, just four months after the departure of ACA COO Chris Stec. Blackwood had been with the ACA for more than a decade, serving initially as Chief Financial Officer before becoming executive director. Under his leadership, the ACA become the National Governing Body for Olympic and Paralympic paddlesports, and created a State Director program to help better serve its members. “We appreciate his service to the ACA and the paddlesports community, and wish him well in the future,” the ACA board said in a release.
Beth Spilman has been hired to serve as interim ED while the ACA begins the search to fill the position. Spilman brings a wealth of experience in leadership, management and strategic planning, in both non-profit and for-profit sectors. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with ACA’s dedicated staff, passionate volunteers and a wide range of partner organizations to help ACA continue its mission of improving education, stewardship, competition and recreation for the paddlesports community,” she says.
