As we say so long to the 2011-2012 season, we also say so long to the man who has worked very hard to make each and every bowling season successful as of late, that man being Shawn Nielsen – the President of the RCUSBC.

Shawn was the President of the Men’s Association for 8 years before it merged into the USBC.  There he served for 6 years on the local board and 6 years on the state board.

Shawn ran for the President for the USBC because he felt he could do a good job for all of the bowlers and not let the past Associations be forgotten and continue to strive forward with fresh, new ideas.

But, after 28 years in this public service, he decided it was time to retire and let someone else take the reins and run with it.

Howard Sharkey, the new President-Elect will take over this fall.  He has his work definitely cut out for him and some enormous shoes to fill.  Confident that he will do an excellent job, Shawn has some advice for him.  His advice includes working with all of the centers in the RCUSBC, representing all of the bowlers, whether they are adult or youth, or have averages from 20 to 200+ and all the averages in between.  As President you must also keep an open mind…and to keep meetings on the short side.

I asked Shawn what his biggest accomplishment as President was.  He said he was proud of the fact that the three associations, the men, women and youth, merged successfully, as well as in the state.  He was able to lead them though a sometimes-hard transition.  He states that he cannot thank enough the volunteers who put in time and talent both locally and state wide to make his job easier.  Without them and all of the volunteers yet to come, we would not have the successful associations that we do.  

Shawn also wanted to extend a huge thank you to the one person who keeps our local association running as a unit.  That person would be Karla Richey.  

On behalf of the local and state associations, I would like to extend a THANK YOU to Shawn for your many years of service to our associations.  We would definitely not be where we are today without your guidance.