Vice President of Operations Shane Tyree to Assume CEO Position
Longtime Billiard Congress of America Chief Executive Officer Rob Johnson has announced his plans to step down at the end of March 2023. As a result, the Billiard Congress of America Board of Directors is pleased to announce current Vice President of Operations Shane Tyree will succeed Johnson as CEO. Johnson will remain with the association in a consultancy role, working closely with Tyree in his role as CEO, as the organization continues on its mission to promote the industry and support its membership.
“As the BCA CEO, Rob Johnson has been a force for the industry and has made positive impacts for the sport and the association,” said BCA Board Chairman Shane Bouchard. “Rob’s direct and honest approach has allowed the Billiard Congress of America to become a more transparent and strategically focused organization. We will always be grateful for his tireless efforts to help position the Billiard Congress of America, and the industry, for the future. While we will miss him as CEO, we are happy to retain his services in a consulting capacity. Working with Rob has been an absolute pleasure.”
“I am truly grateful for the remarkable 16 years I have spent leading the Billiard Congress of America, and I am confident that Shane Tyree is the perfect candidate to take on the role of chief executive officer at this time,” stated Johnson. “The efforts that the association has made to support the industry and the game during my tenure have been extraordinary, and I believe that Shane, along with the board of directors, has a clear vision to continue this support for our members and the game. As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, it is the perfect time for a change, and I am excited to see how Shane, with the support of the board of directors, will take the organization to new levels of success.”
“Shane Tyree has been instrumental in helping move things forward with the Billiard Congress of America,” Bouchard said. “Shane lives for this sport and has invested most of his professional career to the growth of our association. The board has several new initiatives on the table and he has shown the commitment necessary to get those initiatives moving in the right direction for the benefit of the association and the sport in general.”
Tyree was hired as the membership and communications manager of the Billiard Congress of America in 2009. In early 2022 he was promoted to vice president of operations. In his role, Tyree has been responsible for overseeing the organization’s membership and communications activities. He also serves as a co-managing director, alongside Johnson, for the Billiard Education Foundation and is a member of the board of directors for the World Pool-Billiard Association. Tyree is originally from Texas and received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Texas State University.
“I am thrilled about the opportunity to lead the association and welcome the challenge that comes with being named the BCA’s chief executive officer,” Tyree said. “I love working for the association, serving industry, and promoting this sport we all love. I look forward to continuing to build upon the momentum Rob Johnson, the BCA board of directors and I have established over the past decade of working together. Very honestly, I cannot wait to roll up my sleeves and get started in this new role.”
About Billiard Congress of America
Founded in 1948, the Billiard Congress of America is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to growing a united, prosperous and highly regarded billiard industry through BCA leadership. The BCA seeks to enhance the success of its members and promote the game of billiards though educational, marketing and promotional efforts, annual industry trade shows, tournaments and other programs designed to encourage billiards as a lifestyle and make pool everybody’s game. For more information, visit bca-pool.com or call 303.243.5070.
The BCA rankings, at present, are too dependent on performance in the newfangled race to four ten ball events and penalize the many who often prefer not to compete in them like Josh Filler (BCA rank #15) and SVB (BCA ranked below #15). Similarly, the BCA rankings misrepresent the pedigree of a player like Bader Al-Awadhi, #59 in the World 9-ball rankings, listed at BCA #9.
Shane has American pool's best interests at heart and will steer the ship that is the BCA with vision and passion, but as America's representative to the WPA, I hope he'll help WPA to reconcile with Matchroom's plan for the growing globalization of pool as he ensures that Americans who compete globally are properly recognized for their overseas accomplishments. I'm betting on him, not against him.
Congratulations to Shane on his appointment, and I wish him luck in dealing with the profound challenges of this watershed moment in the history of our sport.
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