“The CEO Search Committee, including Board members Eric Laurin, Ronda Sweet and myself, and empowered by the incoming Board of USA Taekwondo, did a thorough search of qualified individuals before selecting David Askinas as our new CEO,” said Berkey.

“The Board unanimously agreed that David has the background and qualifications necessary to lead USA Taekwondo,” Berkey added. “We have every confidence he will help USA Taekwondo realize its potential in cementing and enhancing its position as the country's representative within the USOC in developing successful athletes for Olympic and International competition.”

Most recently, Askinas headed his own sports consulting firm in Tampa, Florida advising clients on matters relating to sports marketing, sports investment opportunities and stadium development. He was also a professor of sports law in the MBA program at Florida Atlantic University.

A nationally recognized leader in the sport of soccer, Askinas previously held the positions of Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of United Soccer Leagues in Tampa during the decade of 1995 through 2004. United Soccer Leagues is the largest North American soccer league and serves as the system of minor league soccer in North America. While at United Soccer Leagues, Askinas was instrumental in engineering the transformation of a regional sports league to an international franchise sales business that has grown to over 100 locations throughout North America and the Caribbean.

Askinas authored the league’s first Standard Player Contract, established the league’s grievance procedures and chaired the league’s disciplinary arbitration panels. He was the league’s liaison with the Canadian Soccer Association and oversaw the league’s expansion into Canada by establishing over 13 franchises in Canada during his tenure. He also oversaw the league’s television package and worked with the Fox Soccer Channel to create a Game of the Week for United Soccer Leagues.

He served on the Board of Directors of the United States Soccer Federation from 1997-2004 and was selected by two presidents to key governance task forces committees in 1998 and 2003 as U.S. Soccer investigated and implemented fundamental changes to their governance structure. Askinas garnered the prestigious President’s Award for service to U.S. Soccer in 2001.

In 2003 he was nominated by U.S. Soccer and selected by the Court of Arbitration for Sports for International Football (Soccer) Matters as one of the three representative members from the United States. He continues to serve as arbitrator for the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

"I am tremendously excited to be taking over the leadership of this growing and dynamic organization,” Askinas said. "We have an opportunity to make USA Taekwondo the undisputed leader and unified voice for the sport of Taekwondo in the United States. Bob Gambardella and the talented staff at USA Taekwondo have done a terrific job rebuilding this organization. It is our intention to take USA Taekwondo to even greater levels of excellence in the areas of athlete development, membership growth and public awareness. We have a wonderful message that we are going to share with America. Taekwondo is an exciting sport that promotes fitness, discipline, healthy competition and family fun."

Askinas is a 1973 graduate of Washington University where he was a member of the college soccer team. He graduated in 1977 with honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law and is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association. He practiced law in Connecticut for many years prior to entering sports management on a full-time basis in 1997. During that time he developed extensive experience in real estate, personal injury, workers’ compensation and contract law.

In 1993 Askinas became a founding partner of the New York Fever, a professional soccer team headquartered in Westchester County, New York. He served as the team’s Corporate Secretary and General Counsel until United Soccer Leagues named him to the position of General Counsel in 1995. He and his wife Karen have three sons, Brett, Kirk and Ryan.

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