FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2000
Contact:Barbara DeMaro
(845) 562-8350
Press Release #8 of 2000

GEORGE L. DE FEIS APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF U.S. CHESS FEDERATION

George L. De Feis was appointed Executive Director & CEO of the United States Chess Federation (USCF), effective February 14, 2000. In this capacity, De Feis will oversee all operations of the New Windsor, New York-based, not-for-profit, membership association. USCF is the governing organization for chess in America. The USCF has over 85,000 members across the country, more than 2,300 USCF-affiliated chess-clubs and a staff of 45.

De Feis will focus his early attention on revenue enhancements (including grants/ sponsorships/advertising), strategic alliances, expansion of membership and services, and strategic and organizational planning issues.

In 1999, De Feis became Executive Director of Operation Enterprise, the young adult division of the American Management Association (NYC). Leading the re-engineering effort of this 37-year-old operation, De Feis introduced new initiatives on career skills and career guidance, while focusing on revenue enhancement, strategic alliances, and strategic planning.

De Feis has nearly 20 years of professional experience, covering the fields of association and not-for-profit management, education, conference/exhibit management, international affairs, and engineering. He's held executive positions with the Technology Utilization Foundation, American Society of Civil Engineers, Port Authority of NY/NJ, and has recently acted as an independent consultant for associations and the academic world.

De Feis has published several articles on management, global business issues, technology and sustainable development. His current interests include strategy and competitive advantage, international relations, education, and environmental issues. De Feis has also served as an adjunct professor of business and mathematics at Baruch College (NYC) and Monroe College (Bronx, NY). A native of Brooklyn, NY, now residing in Ridgefield Park, NJ, De Feis has a B.E. in civil engineering (Cooper Union), an MBA in finance (Baruch College) and is pursuing a doctorate in business policy and strategy at the CUNY Graduate Center.

De Feis is a member of the American Society of Association Executives, American Society of Civil Engineers, National Society of Fund Raising Executives, New York Academy of Sciences, New York Society of Association Executives and numerous cultural/educational organizations.

For more information about this and other chess events, contact Executive Assistant, Barbara DeMaro, U.S. Chess Federation, 3054 NYS Route 9W, New Windsor, NY 12553; Phone: (845) 562-8350; FAX: (914) 561-2437; World Wide Web: http://www.uschess.org.