Election 2026
Board Meetings

Call for Nominations: USA Fencing Board of Directors — Independents

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by Bryan Wendell

The USA Fencing Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for individuals who qualify as "Independent" to serve appointed terms on the USA Fencing Board of Directors. The terms will run from Sept. 1, 2026, to Aug. 31, 2030.

Nominations must be submitted by March 31 to nominations@usafencing.org and should include a short biography of the individual and any other information the Nominating Committee should consider.

Who Is Being Sought

USA Fencing currently has two Independent Individual Directors, both of whom are eligible to be considered for a second term if they wish to do so: Andrea Pagnanelli and Jade Burroughs.

The Nominating Committee is particularly seeking individuals with previous experience in governance, especially those who have served on Boards of Directors. The Committee is also actively looking for candidates with backgrounds in media, education (particularly collegiate athletics), marketing and growth, finance, legal professions, or other fields relevant to achieving the goals of the USA Fencing strategic plan.

What It Means to Be Independent

To be considered for an Independent Director appointment, an individual may not — at the time of appointment to their initial term — meet any of the following criteria. An individual is not independent if they, or an immediate family member:

  • Are a current member of USA Fencing, or have been a member in the last two years.
  • Have been a coach of a USA Fencing member.
  • Have been employed by, or held a paid or volunteer governance position within, USA Fencing, the FIE, World Abilitysport, any international fencing federation, or any sport family entity of fencing.
  • Have been affiliated as an owner, member, employer, employee, or agent of USA Fencing's outside auditor or legal counsel.
  • Have directly or indirectly received compensation from USA Fencing.
  • Have participated in a fencing competition.
  • Have been affiliated as an owner, member, employee, employer, controlling shareholder, or agent of any person, organization or entity that has done business with or been a member of USA Fencing.
  • In the judgment of the Nominating Committee, is not independent from the sport of fencing.

How to Submit a Nomination

To nominate an individual — or to nominate yourself — email nominations@usafencing.org with a short biography and any other relevant information for the Nominating Committee to consider. Nominations must be received by March 31.