Warner had been occupying the role on an interim basis after Fabsik-Swarts' exit in October 2013, less than a year after being appointed to the position, and he has now been handed the reins on a full-time basis.

"Julie Fabsik-Swarts left USA Synchro due to a difference in the direction of her and the organisation and the mutual decision that her continued employment was no longer a good fit," USA Synchro President Judy McGowan told insidethegames.

"During his brief tenure leading our transition between executive directors, Kevin has proven his ability to build positive relationships with our existing partners and to establish new ones.

"We feel confident that Kevin is the right person to serve as USA Synchro's executive director."

Warner had been education director at USA Synchro since 2007, organising the educational curriculum and coordinating the certification process for coaches and judges, while also implementing a new talent identification/national team pipeline programme and coordinating the annual Coaches College.

"As President, I look forward to working with Kevin to lead our organisation and members in the pursuit of excellence," added McGowan.

"Kevin's knowledge of our membership and organisation are assets for him and USA Synchro as he assumes this new position.

"We have hired an education and technical coordinator that is fulfilling a portion of the education director position."

"We will be posting a new position soon to replace Kevin."

Warner also spent a year as interim national team director between March 2012 and March 2013 when he was responsible for the national team's budget and coordinated and organised all aspects of the elite athlete programme.

The US synchronised swimming team sit second on the overall medals table at the Olympics but have not won a medal since Athens 2004 ©AFP/Getty Images


Before joining USA Synchro, Warner was manager of operations and customer service at Lifetime Fitness in Indianapolis and a sales executive at Sigma Communications, also in Indianapolis.

"I have had the privilege to work with a lot of great people since my initial hiring at USA Synchro, and I am truly honoured to continue this endeavour, striving to meet and exceed the goals of the organisation," said Warner, who holds a master's degree in kinesiology and sport management from Southern Illinois-Edwardsville University.

"It is my pleasure to be one of the pieces that will carry on the great tradition of USA Synchro."

The US synchronised swimming team is second behind Russia in terms of Olympic success having claimed nine medals in total, including five golds, since the sport first joined the Olympic programme at Los Angeles 1984.

However, their last gold medal came at Atlanta 1996 and since then they have picked up just two bronze medals - duet and team event - at Athens 2004.

Contact the writer of this story at gary.anderson@insidethegames


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