USFSS Elects New Leadership At its biennial congress August 24th, the US Federation of Sleddog Sports (USFSS) elected a slate of new officers. Tim White of Grand Marais, Minnesota, will take the reins of leadership as the organization’s president. He follows in the footsteps of Mike Marsch, who had served as president since 2011 and was largely responsible for getting the fledgling organization on firm footing. But White also has a background in USFSS, previously having been one of a small team who chartered the USFSS, then known as Mushing USA, in Alaska.

Dan Hanks of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, was elected the new vice president, and Sally Bair of Buffalo, Minnesota, and Janet Saxon of Golden, Colorado, hang on to their positions as secretary and treasurer respectively. New to the board of directors are Niina Baum of Kennen, Wisconsin, Laura Hayes from Brookline, Massachusetts, and Christopher Speers of Lafayette, Indiana. Baum is the former Director of Marketing & Operations for Non-stop Dogwear, and Hayes is a practicing attorney in Boston. They both have been putting their talents to work in the editorship of ISDRA’ s Dog & Driver. Speers is a lab technician with Purdue University. Nick Weis (Lebanon, MO) was elected chair of the athletes’ advisory council, the council being a requirement of the International Olympic Committee, and Niina Baum its vice chair.

White comes to the USFSS with a wealth of knowledge and experience, having held the position as the president of the International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS). He commented that he is “honored to be chosen as the next president of USFSS. I extend my congratulations and my appreciation to the past and current officers, participants, and members of USFSS. I look forward to working together with all of them and cooperating with like-minded international participants to promote our many common interests. I am especially happy to see the importance now given to one and two dog activities such as canicross, scooter, skijoring and bikejoring not only as entry-level and recruiting disciplines but as respected competitive events.”

White went on to comment on respecting and continuing the spirit, culture, tradition and character of mushing: “Long before any existing countries or sports were recognized, the regions now US, Canada and Russian Far East were the origin, the birthplace, of sled dog breeds and activities. In the last two centuries and more recently with the creation of an international federation linked to the Olympic Movement, the U.S. has played an essential and leading role in the world of mushing recreation and competition organizations.”

USFSS congratulates the new officers and board members and looks forward to a productive future under an auspicious leadership team.


Contact: Sally O’Sullivan Bair, Secretary
Buffalo, MN 55313
Tel: 218-349-2887
Email: sbair@tds.net
Website:www.usfss.org