USA Fencing

PHOENIX, Ariz. — The USA Fencing Board of Directors met on Independence Day to hear two motions and approve a number of clerical updates to key policies. 

The meeting, which was the last of the 2022-23 USA Fencing season, was held in person at the Phoenix Convention Center during Summer Nationals. It also was streamed live online to ensure that members across the country could monitor the action.

The Board also recognized the departure of esteemed At-Large Directors Donald Alperstein and Lorrie Marcil Holmes. 

“Donald and Lorrie have been instrumental in advancing the mission and vision of USA Fencing,” says CEO Phil Andrews. “We deeply appreciate their unwavering dedication and significant contributions to our community. Their wisdom and spirit of service will surely be missed.”

Here were some of the highlights from the July 4 meeting:

• The meeting's consent agenda saw the approval of clerical updates to key policies including the Gift & Entertainment Policy, Whistleblower & Antiretaliation Policy, and Complaint and Hearing Procedures.

• Motion 1 (Approved): This motion addressed the Division Map, assigning the Division Resource Team the authority to redefine the geographical descriptions of divisions. This move is designed to resolve any discrepancies in existing geographical descriptions and to settle territorial disputes between Divisions.

• Motion 2 (Approved): This motion ratified the appointment of a task force to review applications for and approve members of committees and resource teams. The task force, which the Board has asked to complete its work by the September meeting of the USA Fencing Board of Directors, will use their institutional knowledge of success factors in seating committees to appoint members to various Committees and Task Forces for the coming financial year — and to recommend both board and staff liaisons for each. The task force will include:

  • Selina Kaing (Chair)

  • Donald Alperstein

  • Peter Burchard

  • Nzingha Prescod OLY

  • Kat Holmes OLY

  • Athlete Council representative to be announced

  • Staff representatives: Christina Pachuta and Shannon Jolly

The next meeting of the USA Fencing Board of Directors will be held during the September Board Retreat, set for Sept. 8–10 at the Element in Denver, hosted by Visit Denver/Sports Denver. Of note: This will be the first meeting of new three-year terms for recently elected At-Large Directors Ivan Lee OLY, Damien Lehfeldt and Abdel Salem OLY-EGY.