CSAC Position Remains In Flux
The California State Athletic Commission has appointed Dave
Thornton to the role of interim executive officer, Sherdog.com
learned on Tuesday.
A 32-year retired member of the state’s medical board, Thornton temporarily fills the void left by Armando Garcia, who abruptly vacated the position last November.
Thornton, who also served as CSAC executive director in 2004, joins interim assistant executive officer Gil DeLuna, who replaced Bill Douglas in May. Douglas relocated to a position in the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Division of Legislation and Policy Review. DeLuna told Sherdog.com Tuesday that he will not seek permanent appointment within the CSAC.
The DCA launched a nationwide search in January to secure a permanent executive officer for the regulatory body, which oversees boxing and MMA. Also in January, Douglas and former interim executive officer Dean Lohuis were temporarily appointed to oversee the day-to-day responsibilities within the CSAC. Though the DCA announced the pivotal position would be filled by March, interview procedures have drawn out.
In April, the field was said to have been whittled down to three to four candidates, which included Douglas, veteran boxing referee Patrick Russell, and former New York State Athletic Commission member Ron Scott Stevens. Douglas withdrew from the selection process with his resignation in May. Lohuis’ position was terminated in April.
Representatives for both the DCA and CSAC could not confirm recent indications that the DCA will re-open the search to include candidates beyond the original finalists.
The state agency will continue to regulate events under Thornton and DeLuna. The calendar includes Affliction’s third event on Aug. 1 at the Honda Center in Anaheim and a UFC on Oct. 24 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
A deadline to fill the position has not been given.
A 32-year retired member of the state’s medical board, Thornton temporarily fills the void left by Armando Garcia, who abruptly vacated the position last November.
Thornton, who also served as CSAC executive director in 2004, joins interim assistant executive officer Gil DeLuna, who replaced Bill Douglas in May. Douglas relocated to a position in the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Division of Legislation and Policy Review. DeLuna told Sherdog.com Tuesday that he will not seek permanent appointment within the CSAC.
The DCA launched a nationwide search in January to secure a permanent executive officer for the regulatory body, which oversees boxing and MMA. Also in January, Douglas and former interim executive officer Dean Lohuis were temporarily appointed to oversee the day-to-day responsibilities within the CSAC. Though the DCA announced the pivotal position would be filled by March, interview procedures have drawn out.
In April, the field was said to have been whittled down to three to four candidates, which included Douglas, veteran boxing referee Patrick Russell, and former New York State Athletic Commission member Ron Scott Stevens. Douglas withdrew from the selection process with his resignation in May. Lohuis’ position was terminated in April.
Representatives for both the DCA and CSAC could not confirm recent indications that the DCA will re-open the search to include candidates beyond the original finalists.
The state agency will continue to regulate events under Thornton and DeLuna. The calendar includes Affliction’s third event on Aug. 1 at the Honda Center in Anaheim and a UFC on Oct. 24 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
A deadline to fill the position has not been given.
