OTTAWA (May 17, 2021) - The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Bill Merklinger as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective May 17, 2021. Merklinger brings with him over 40 years well-diversified experience in the territorial and federal governments, as well as amateur sports sectors, predominantly at the executive and senior levels.
“It is a significant move to recruit Bill, given his experience in implementing financial and operational practices to ensure the longevity of an organization,” said Lorraine Lafrenière, Chief Executive Officer of the Coaching Association of Canada. “He will bring tremendous leadership skills in fostering organizational excellence, advancement of safe sport, and the realization of diversity and inclusion practices that are in perfect alignment with our strategic goals.”
A strategic leader and experienced business operations professional, Merklinger is known for successfully building and developing teams to their full performance potential. As COO for Curling Canada, Merklinger made a significant contribution in the development and execution of the team’s strategic vision and operational plan by implementing a business model transformation towards organizational financial health, and significant people investments, resulting in high employee satisfaction, retention and brand reputation as a workplace of choice. As a FCPA, FCMA, CDir, MBA, Merklinger brings a unique combination of business, technology, and accounting knowledge to the Chief Operating Officer role. In his new role at the CAC, Merklinger will play an integral role in shaping the organization’s strategic vision while optimizing its resources to achieve its operational goals and objectives.
From early exposure to the sport community since childhood and from there, a first degree in Physical Education, experience as a community coach, and decades of participation as a curler, Merklinger sees this opportunity as coming full circle. He adds, “Building on my life-long love of sport and having experienced first-hand the influence and impact of coaching on athletes at all levels, I would be honored to be able to contribute to its continuous improvement and advancement in this role.”
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About the Coaching Association of Canada
The Coaching Association of Canada unites stakeholders and partners in its commitment to raising the skills and stature of coaches, and ultimately expanding their reach and influence. Through its programs, the CAC empowers coaches with knowledge and skills, promotes ethics, fosters positive attitudes, builds competence, and increases the credibility and recognition of coaches. For more information, follow us on Twitter and on Facebook.
For more information, please contact:
Anick Michel
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Coaching Association of Canada
613.235.5000 x 2353
amichel@coach.ca