USA Fencing

Meet Tanner Gonzales  

Operations Administrator

Gonzales graduated from UCCS this past December with a bachelor’s degree in sports management. While finishing his degree, he was an assistant varsity coach and sophomore level coach for a local basketball team in Colorado Springs. Most recently, Gonzales held an internship with the marketing team at the United States Air Force Academy before coming to USA Fencing

“I’m excited to grow my knowledge in a sport that is unique in its own amazing way,” he says. “I hope to help this organization out by giving every fencer an opportunity to succeed on and off the strip.”

Gonzales brings a dynamic communications skillset, a passion for the Olympic movement and a meticulous commitment to administrative organization.

Meet Beth Mahr 

Regional Development Manager

Mahr comes to USA Fencing with seven years of experience in the Olympic & Paralympic Movement. She has served in multi-faceted roles for the USOPC, USA Lacrosse, and USA Hockey working to develop sport at the grass roots level for athletes of all backgrounds and abilities. Her experience with events, from the local to national level, will be an asset as she oversees the regional event sanctioning process for USA Fencing. 

Mahr is a Maryland native but has called Colorado Springs home for the last several years. She earned her bachelor’s in sports marketing from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa.

“I’m excited to step into a new role with USA Fencing and create the framework for a new area of focus for the organization, developing the sport at the grass roots level,” Mahr says. “Fencing is a unique sport with a passionate community, and I look forward to building relationships with the clubs and athletes at the local, district, and regional level.”

Mahr brings a hands-on approach to grass roots development, a commitment to quality community engagement and a proven ability to cultivate good working relationships with current and potential members.

Meet Amanda Mastera 

Communications Manager

Mastera joins USA Fencing with more than a decade of experience in corporate communications as well as intercollegiate, national, and international sports. She most recently served as Media & Communications Manager at World Lacrosse, where she helped grow social audiences, develop a brand, create responsive content, manage event broadcasts, and engage with athletes and fans around the world.

Additionally, Mastera has worked in front of the camera in various broadcast roles during domestic and international sporting events. Before that role, Mastera worked as an accomplished lacrosse coach motivating athletes, mentoring students and training coaches.

"Sport has the power to change the world", Mastera says" It has the power to inspire and unite people in a way that little else does. I get up every morning grateful for the immense responsibility and privilege I have to tell that impactful story to the world."

Mastera brings creative, tactical, and authentic storytelling communications expertise to the USA Fencing community. A native of New Canaan, Conn., she now lives in Colorado Springs. Mastera will continue to be based in Olympic City USA while supporting Director of Communications Bryan Wendell.

Meet Christina Pachuta 

Athlete Safety and Compliance Manager

Pachuta joins USA fencing with over 10 years of NCAA Division I collegiate athletic compliance experience. She has served in compliance roles with the University of Miami (Fla.), University of Kansas, the Missouri Valley Conference Office, and most recently as Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Support Services at the University of Denver.

While at the University of Denver, she led the day-today operations of a comprehensive compliance program to ensure adherence to all NCAA, conference, and institutional policies. Pachuta handled all aspects of coach/student-athlete education on NCAA rules, internal audits, investigating and resolving rules violations, and the development and implementation of policies and procedures.

Pachuta brings a strong work ethic, communication skills, and an attention to detail that will be crucial in ensuring USA Fencing is exceeding expectations in meeting both USOPC and U.S. Center for SafeSport standards and policies.

“I am thrilled to be joining such a strong staff here at USA Fencing and to hit the ground running,” Pachuta says. “Athlete safety is such an integral part of an individual’s development both athletically and personally. It is my passion to ensure that athlete well-being is the center of this sports’ culture so that our athletes can thrive both in their sport and in their communities.”

A native of Perry, N.Y., Pachuta earned a bachelor’s degree in sport administration and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Louisville. While there she competed on the women’s golf team earning two team Big East Championships and a team top 10 finish the NCAA Championship.