2026 Board of Directors Election

Two At-Large Directors to be elected

Three At-Large Director positions are open as part of the 2026 USA Fencing Board of Directors election.

As stipulated in the USA Fencing Bylaws, two seats will be filled through an election by the membership, and one seat will be filled through Board appointment.

These seats are currently held by Molly Hill, Damien Lehfeldt and Abdel Salem OLY–EGY.

Two At-Large Directors to Be Elected 

Two At-Large Director positions are up for election.

The two successful candidates will serve four-year terms beginning Sept. 1, 2026, and concluding Aug. 31, 2030.

Meet the Candidates: Candidate bios and videos will be posted April 29, 2026.

One At-Large Director to Be Appointed 

One At-Large Director position will be filled through Board appointment, in accordance with the USA Fencing Bylaws.

The appointed individual will serve a four-year term beginning Sept. 1, 2026.

Preferential Voting, Explained

USA Fencing Board of Directors elections use a preferential voting system known as the Borda Count.

In this system, voters rank candidates in order of preference. Each rank is assigned a point value. With seven candidates (as an example), points would be assigned as follows:

Rank 1 = 7 points

Rank 2 = 6 points

Rank 3 = 5 points

Rank 4 = 4 points

Rank 5 = 3 points

Rank 6 = 2 points

Rank 7 = 1 points

Each candidate receives points based on their ranking on each ballot. Candidates not ranked on a ballot receive no points from that ballot.

At the conclusion of the election, the two candidates with the highest total point values will be elected to the At-Large Director positions.

Timeline at a Glance — Board of Directors

  • Jan. 2, 2026: Window for nominations opens (details here)
  • Jan. 12, 2026: Window closes at 5 p.m. MT
  • Jan. 15, 2026: Nominating Committee reports to Membership and the Board.
    • The Nominating Committee will present at least (but not a maximum of) one candidate for appointment (for one position), and a minimum (but not maximum of) 4 for election (for two positions).
  • Feb. 14, 2026: USA Fencing Board of Directors to select an appointed At-Large Director at their Winter Meeting.
  • Mar. 1, 2026: Nominating Committee deadline to add any candidates for appointment that were not selected by the Board to the Ballot.
  • Mar. 2, 2026: Nominating Committee election candidates announced to Membership.
  • Mar. 2, 2026: Petitions Open.
  • Mar. 31, 2026: Petition deadline, 5 p.m. MT.
  • On or before April 15, 2026: Final ballot announced
  • April 29, 2026: Bios and one-minute candidate videos posted
  • TBA: General election opens (date to be determined by Election Committee)
  • TBA: General election closes (date to be determined by Election Committee)
  • TBA: Winners announced (date to be determined by Election Committee)
  • Sept. 1, 2026: Terms begin for new At-Large Directors

Candidate Eligibility Requirements

All USA Fencing members are invited to apply for the open At-Large Director positions and/or to suggest potential candidates for consideration by the Nominating Committee.

All applications are welcome and will be considered.

Applicants with backgrounds or expertise in education, finance, marketing, fundraising, development, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB), innovation, or strategic planning are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Nominating Committee is particularly seeking individuals who:

  • Have prior board experience (inside or outside of sport) or senior leadership experience
  • Can collaborate effectively with fellow board members
  • Understand the distinction between governance and operations
  • Can help lead and inspire USA Fencing in alignment with its strategic priorities

FAQs