The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation recently announced that after eight years as President and Executive Director, Ben Berka will be leaving the organization on August 26.
Berka provided a steady hand as the organization rapidly expanded under his direction, also paving the way for future growth.
“Ben Berka has served well when the Foundation needed capable and strong leadership as the programs grew,” said SSSF Board Chairman, Ed Fitzgerald. “We wish him well in his new opportunities.”
Tom Wondrash and Rick Leach—both solid leaders and serving as the respective national directors for the SSSF’s Scholastic Clay Target and Scholastic Action Shooting Programs—will assist with the transition of the SSSF’s day-to-day operations.
“Both Tom Wondrash and Rick Leach have proven track records of organizational development and leadership that qualifies them for this effort,” said Chris Hodgdon, SSSF vice chairman. “Having been the drivers for many of the Foundation's efforts to expand its capabilities and offerings, makes them uniquely effective in working together to operate and manage the resources of the largest youth shooting program in the world.”
After concluding the SSSF National Championships this past July, which boasted more than 10,000 combined registrations, the event marks the SSSF's largest clay target competition to date. In addition, the youth development programs will begin ramping up for the start of the 2022-2023 fall season, as many teams are already back in school competing.
