Colorado Springs, CO – Darlene Hunter, National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) President, announced her resignation from NWBA Board President position effective immediately, December 2, 2022. Hunter was elected President earlier this year (March) at the 2022 NWBA Annual Assembly to fill the one-year term remaining for the previously elected President, Tim Fox. 

Hunter has a long history of serving in leadership with the NWBA, previously including being elected as the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee Athlete Advisory Council Representative (USOPC AAC) for the NWBA in 2020—a position which holds an athlete director seat with the NWBA Board of Directors. In addition, Hunter’s well-known and successful wheelchair basketball competition career prove her passion for the sport and the organization.

Due to the recent resignation of NWBA Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Executive Director (ED), Will Waller, the NWBA Board of Directors voted to appoint an interim CEO/ED to lead and support the National Office staff ensuring that the day-to-day business and membership support continue to operate at a high level.

Hunter’s decision to resign from her President position is directly related to accepting the appointment of NWBA interim CEO/ED. She will fill the role until the next NWBA CEO/ED is hired. The NWBA Board of Directors will align with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to publish the open position, accept applications and hire a new CEO/ED by March 2023. Position details and application process will be published at a later date.

In her resignation letter, Hunter said: “It has been an honor to serve as President of the Board of Directors for the past six months. While we go through the process of filling the CEO/ED role, I will do my best to continue to support the organization and lead in the best interest of all of our members.”

In alignment with the NWBA Bylaws (Section 6.2 on page 12), current Vice President Ryan Martin will serve as the interim President effective immediately for the remainder of the term until the next Annual Assembly. The President election will be hosted with the 2023 NWBA Annual Assembly – additional details will be shared by the NWBA Governance Committee when available. “I look forward to assuming this President position and continuing to serve the NWBA Membership to the best of my ability. I intend to continue the trajectory of Darlene’s successes in progressing the organization,” commented Martin.

Due to the recent change of positions, the Board of Directors elected current member Teresa Skinner to fill the Vice President position for the unexpired term (through 2023) in accordance with the NWBA Bylaws (Section 6.7 on page 14). The Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary elections will be hosted following the 2023 NWBA Annual Assembly. Skinner commented, “I’m happy and honored to help out for the next few months. In addition, I look forward to continuing a high-level of female representation within leadership and especially at the NWBA Officer level of the organization.”