Key Takeaways
- Three vacant positions on the USA Swimming Board of Directors will be filled in September 2026.
- Two of the seats are “At‑Large” nominees, and one is dedicated to an Athlete Representative.
- Outgoing board members Katy Arris‑Wilson, Kenneth Chung, and Maya DiRado are not seeking reelection.
- The candidate list includes former Olympians, finance professionals, and seasoned club leaders.
- The Nominating Committee has announced its selections, but the final vote will be decided by the House of Delegates.
Election Overview and Seats Up for Election
The upcoming House of Delegates meeting in September 2026 will determine three open seats on the USA Swimming Board of Directors. These positions are critical because they shape governance, policy, and strategic direction for the sport nationwide. The Board’s composition influences everything from athlete representation to financial stewardship, making this election a pivotal moment for the organization’s future trajectory.
At‑Large Positions and Athlete Representative
Two “At‑Large” director spots are open, allowing the Board to broaden its expertise beyond traditional swimming roles. In addition, a dedicated Athlete Representative seat ensures that active competitors have a direct voice in board deliberations. Both categories were filled through a combination of committee selections and self‑nominations, reflecting a diverse pool of candidates with varied professional and athletic backgrounds.
Nominees for At‑Large Seats
The official slate for the At‑Large positions includes U.S. Olympian Tom Dolan, former South African international Byron Jeffers, Masters swimmer and businesswoman Ann Senn, NCAP Owner Tom Ugast, and coach‑club owner Joe Zemaitis. Of these, Dolan, Jeffers, Senn, and Ugast were placed on the ballot by the USA Swimming Nominating Committee, while Zemaitis submitted his own candidacy. Each brings a distinct blend of competitive experience, financial acumen, and organizational leadership.
Nominee for Athlete Representative
The Athlete Representative race features Taylor Abbott and Gunnar Bentz, both of whom received the Nominating Committee’s endorsement. Abbott is a former Junior World Champion in open‑water swimming and currently serves as a club operations manager, while Bentz captured an Olympic gold medal on the 800‑meter freestyle relay and now works in project management for a data‑center company. Their recent competitive histories and involvement in athlete advocacy were highlighted as key qualifications.
Outgoing Board Members Not Seeking Reelection
Incumbents Katy Arris‑Wilson, Kenneth Chung, and Maya DiRado will not return to the Board. Arris‑Wilson contributed business and coaching expertise, Chung served as the Board’s finance guru, and DiRado held the longest tenure as athlete representative. Their departures create openings that the new nominees will aim to fill, potentially shifting the Board’s balance of skills and perspectives.
Profiles of the Candidates – Part 1: Tom Dolan and Byron Jeffers
Tom Dolan is celebrated for his back‑to‑back Olympic gold medals in the 400‑meter individual medley and a silver in the 200 IM, along with an extensive NCAA championship record. After retiring, he founded the Tom Dolan Swim School and later became President of Corporate Pools for Big Blue Swim School. The Nominating Committee praised his ability to bridge elite athlete experience with everyday club programming, emphasizing his commitment to growing the sport from lessons through elite competition.
Byron Jeffers grew up in South Africa before earning a scholarship at the University of Arizona and ultimately building a distinguished career in finance at First Solar, where he now serves as Vice President, Treasurer, and Head of Investor Relations. Jeffers stresses a personal connection to swimming that propelled his education and family life, noting that his financial expertise would help replace the fiscal leadership vacated by departing board member Kenneth Chung.
Profiles of the Candidates – Part 2: Ann Senn and Tom Ugast
Ann Senn previously ran for the Board and brings a background in accounting from Deloitte, one of the world’s largest professional services firms. As a former collegiate swimmer for the University of Wisconsin and an active Masters competitor, she focuses on the challenges facing youth and Olympic sports, especially with the 2028 Los Angeles Games on the horizon. Her vision emphasizes leveraging the upcoming Games to inspire a new generation of swimmers and to re‑energize USA Swimming’s momentum.
Tom Ugast, CEO and President of NCAP, the nation’s largest and most historic USA Swimming club, offers deep experience in club administration and athlete development. His statements prioritize two core objectives: winning medals for Team USA and developing young swimmers at the local level. Ugast also expressed concerns about the impact of Name‑Image‑Likeness (NIL) arrangements on non‑revenue sports and the need to preserve the importance of college swimming within the university system.
Profiles of the Candidates – Part 3: Joe Zemaitis
Joe Zemaitis is the only self‑nominated candidate and co‑founder of the Swim Brothers, an open‑water charity fundraising duo. As head coach and owner of Swim Neptune in Arizona, he has served in numerous leadership roles within USA Swimming, including Age Group Chair, Open Water Chair, and member of the LSC Development Committee. Zemaitis highlights governance that is thoughtful, collaborative, financially responsible, and athlete‑centered, promising leadership grounded in listening and practical experience.
Profiles of the Candidates – Part 4: Taylor Abbott and Gunnar Bentz
Taylor Abbott, a junior world champion in the 5 k open‑water event, represented the United States at the Pan Pacific and Pan American Games before transitioning to a career at Frito‑Lay and later returning to competitive swimming as a club operations manager. He currently serves on multiple LSC committees and the USA Swimming Open Water Committee. Gunnar Bentz earned an Olympic gold medal on the 800‑meter freestyle relay and has since moved into project management for Powertron Global, a data‑center firm. Bentz remains active on the Athlete Advisory Council and the National Team Steering Committee, bringing a blend of elite competition experience and corporate expertise.
Assessment of the Nominating Committee’s Choices
The Nominating Committee’s selections reflect an intentional blend of athletic prestige, financial literacy, and grassroots club insight. By featuring both seasoned Olympians and professionals from outside the traditional swimming sphere—such as Ann Senn’s accounting background and Tom Ugast’s club leadership—the committee aims to refresh the Board’s skill set while retaining an athlete‑focused perspective. The inclusion of self‑nominated candidates like Joe Zemaitis also underscores a desire for fresh voices and collaborative governance.
Potential Implications for USA Swimming Governance
If elected, the new directors could steer USA Swimming toward stronger financial stewardship, enhanced athlete representation, and a more pronounced emphasis on developing talent from the grassroots level upward. Their varied experiences may also influence how the organization addresses emerging issues such as NIL impacts, the integration of emerging technologies in training, and the strategic use of the 2028 LA Games to boost participation and visibility.
Conclusion and Looking Ahead
The upcoming September 2026 election presents a defining moment for USA Swimming’s Board of Directors. With two At‑Large seats, an dedicated Athlete Representative position, and a slate of candidates ranging from Olympic champions to finance executives, the race will shape the organization’s leadership landscape for years to come. Stakeholders will be watching closely as the House of Delegates casts its vote, hoping the resulting Board will advance the sport’s growth, equity, and competitive excellence nationwide.