Answer the Call: Nominations Open for 2026 USA Fencing Board Seats

Published January 2, 2026

On Jan. 2, 2026, USA Fencing's Nominating Committee opened nominations — including self-nominations — for three At-Large Director seats on the Board of Directors. The deadline was Jan. 12, 2026 at 5 p.m. Mountain Time.

Which seats are open

The three At-Large seats are currently held by Molly Hill, Damien Lehfeldt, and Abdel Salem OLY–EGY. Under USA Fencing's bylaws, two of the three are elected by the membership and one is appointed by the Board.

Both the elected and the appointed seats carry four-year terms running Sept. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2030.

What an application required

Candidates applied to nominations@usafencing.org by the deadline with:

A resume or executive biography
Written answers of 250 words or fewer to five questions: why they are applying; prior Board or Committee experience; how they envision their role; their top three priorities for USA Fencing, ranked; and their involvement with USA Fencing or other organizations
Any other information they considered relevant

Four additional items had to be complete by the same deadline: a signed Board qualifying affirmation, a current conflict-of-interest declaration, current SafeSport training, and a current USA Fencing background check.

What the Nominating Committee looks for

USA Fencing said it was seeking diversity of background along with prior board or senior leadership service. Specific areas of expertise named in the call included membership growth, member service, finance, collegiate athletics, fundraising, and strategic planning.

Beyond credentials, the call emphasized behaviors: collaborating with fellow directors, supporting the CEO, and understanding the line between governance and operations. Graduates of USA Fencing's Leadership Academy were especially encouraged to apply.

The 2026 Board election timeline

Jan. 2, 2026 — nominations open
Jan. 12, 2026, 5 p.m. MT — nominations close
Jan. 15, 2026 — Nominating Committee reports to the membership and the Board, with at least one candidate for the appointed seat and a minimum of four candidates for the two elected seats
Feb. 14, 2026 — the Board selects the appointed At-Large director at its Winter Meeting
March 1, 2026 — deadline for the Nominating Committee to add candidates not selected for appointment to the election ballot
March 2, 2026 — election candidates announced and the petition window opens
March 31, 2026, 5 p.m. MT — petition deadline
On or before April 15, 2026 — final ballot set
April 29, 2026 — candidate bios and one-minute videos posted
General election dates — to be announced by the Election Committee
Sept. 1, 2026 — terms begin

How the slate is built

USA Fencing's FAQ explained the math behind the "minimum four" figure: the Nominating Committee selects at least one nominee for each elected seat plus two additional candidates. Nominees are considered for both the appointed seat and the elected seats, so an applicant not chosen for appointment in February can still appear on the spring ballot. The final slate was announced March 2, petitions followed, and the ballot was finalized by April 15.

Why parents should care

Board seats decide budget priorities, event structure, and the policies that reach every club and every tournament entry. Understanding who sits on the Board — and how they got there — makes the rest of USA Fencing's announcements easier to read.

Train with us in Bethesda

Saber Nation trains saber fencers at 4701 Sangamore Road, Suite LL2, Bethesda, MD 20816. See our saber fencing classes in Bethesda or contact us to find the right group for your fencer.

Official USA Fencing source: Answer the Call: Nominations Open for 2026 USA Fencing Board of Directors Seats — published Jan. 2, 2026.

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