Joe Ragan Elected Chair of the USA Judo Board of Directors
by Nicole Jomantas
Ragan was named as an Independent Director of the Board in 2021 serving as its Audit Committee Chair and will hold the position as Board Chair through 2024.
"It is a great honor to be elected to this position. I hope to help judo move to the next level in the United States with the help of many of my fellow judoka that are so passionate about our sport as we focus on our participation in the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and hosting the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles” said Ragan, an eight-time Veterans World Team member who placed fifth at the most recent Veterans World Championships in 2022.
Ragan has participated in Judo for over 50 years as a member of many clubs around the world including: Ed Maley’s School of Judo, Washington Judo Club, Monterey Bay Judo Club, Kokushi Dojo, Judo Club de Bonnevoie, Hidden Valley Judo Club, USA Stars Salt Lake City, Kokushikai Dojo, Ricardo Tuero Judo Club, The Budokwai, Sport Judo and currently Kokoro Dojo. He has participated actively as an international shiai competitor, national kata competitor, regional referee, coach and instructor. He has served on the USA Judo’s Veterans Committee since 2013.
An expert in finance in his professional career, Ragan has served as the Chief Financial Officer for a variety of corporations and is currently the President and Chief Investment Officer for Paper Excellence Group – a leading global paper and pulp producer with operations in the United States, Canada, Brazil and France with $7 billion in sales annually.
Ragan earned his Bachelor’s in accounting from the University of the State of New York, Albany and his Master’s in accounting from George Mason University, and is a licensed CPA.
A U.S. Army veteran, Ragan served as a military intelligence officer from 1986 to 1990 prior to beginning his accounting career at Deloitte & Touche in 1990.