When rowers from across the country gather in Pittsburgh next month for the annual Head of the Ohio Regatta, they'll be greeted by a new boss.

After serving for months as interim director of the Three Rivers Rowing Association, Rick Brown has been officially named executive director. Brown will be responsible for strategic and operational oversight of the organization, and will serve as race director for the Head of the Ohio event.

Since March, when Brown began leading the group, he's launched several initiatives including First Row, a rowing and mentoring program for urban high school girls. He directed a successful season for the group's corporate rowing program, and attracted, organized and coached the USRowing 2009 Junior Men's National Team Development Camp, held in Pittsburgh in June and July. In prior years Brown initiated beginning and evening masters rowing programs at TTRA, and since 2007 served as race director for the Pittsburgh Indoor Sprints. Brown replaces former executive director Mike Lambert.

"Rick Brown was unanimously selected by the board of directors to lead Three Rivers Rowing into the future, said board president Don Ewing in a prepared statement. "He was the top candidate based on his success as interim executive director, past coaching experience, organizational skills as race director and widespread support from our membership."

Before coming to Pittsburgh three years ago, Brown was the interim executive director and masters women's coach at the Marin Rowing Association in the San Francisco Bay area. He holds a bachelor's degree in geology from Bates College and a master's degree in sport management from the University of San Francisco.

Three Rivers Rowing Association celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The non-profit community-based rowing association offers programs for the physically challenged, urban youth, high school and college students, corporate rowing teams and adult rowers.

Head of the Ohio is one of the largest competitive rowing events in the United States, and is expected to attract some 2,000 participants from over 100 organizations.

It takes place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 3 along the banks of the Allegheny River, North Shore Riverfront Park.

Get more information at www.headoftheohio.org, www.threeriversrowing.org or 412-231-8772.