New US Sailing Board of Directors Nominees Announced for Upcoming Elections
BRISTOL, R.I. (28 August 2024) – The US Sailing Board of Directors 2024 election cycle is underway with final voting by the membership opening September 3, 2024 and running through October 13, 2024.
US Sailing’s Nomination and Election Process
The process to select nominees begins months in advance. There is a rigorous nomination procedure, where the US Sailing Nominating Committee identifies and vets potential candidates using recommendations from all available sources, including suggestions from members. The Nominating Committee reviews each suggestion and reaches out to solicit applications from the best fit/most qualified if they have not already formally applied.
The committee strives to build a Board of Directors that represents the broad sailing community it serves. The committee then reviews and researches each candidate to assess their qualifications, experience, and commitment to advancing the organization’s mission. Interviews and discussions help the committee further narrow the field to the final nominees submitted. After announcing the nominees, US Sailing members are encouraged to show their support, voting for nominees during the election period.
Voting must be completed not more than 50 business days before and not less than 10 business days prior to the US Sailing Annual Meeting, scheduled for October 23, 2024. This ensures that all votes are counted in accordance with Bylaw 305.
From September 3 through October 13, 2024, US Sailing’s general membership will have the opportunity to vote and elect the three board members on the slate put forward by the Nominating Committee, which consists of Secretary (term 2025-2028) and two Members at Large (term 2025-2027). Election results will be announced at the US Sailing Board Meeting in Bristol, Rhode Island on Wednesday, October 23.
This year, three proven leaders have been put forward by US Sailing’s Nominating Committee for election by the general membership, each bringing unique qualifications, skills and perspectives to the table. Interestingly, all three nominees already sit on the board as appointees, pending election, as they filled openings that arose in the past year. They are:
Matt Gallagher – Nominated for Elected Director, Secretary position (2025-2028, a four-year term) – Gallagher has served on the board since late 2023 and is uniquely qualified for the challenging Secretary position, thus opening up his previous board position.
Mike Van Dyke – Nominated for Elected Director, Member at Large position (2024-2027, three years remaining) – Van Dyke brings strong business and financial skills, while bringing US Sailing strong needed leadership in the district hosting the 2028 Olympics
Bob Kottler – Nominated for Elected Director, Member at Large position (2024-2027, three years remaining) – Kottler has served on the Finance Committee since 2023 and by shifting onto the Board, will be well positioned to understudy for a potential future Treasurer and Finance Director role that will open up in 2025.
Detailed biographies for each candidate are available online for members to review. These biographies provide insight into the experience and vision each nominee would bring to the Board.
How to Vote
Vote and show support for your future leaders! Members are encouraged to vote either online or by mail:
Online: Visit the US Sailing website to cast your vote electronically.
By Mail: Request a paper ballot by emailing electionquestions@ussailing.org.
For more information, please visit https://www.ussailing.org/about/our-people/board-of-directors/board-election/
Following the election, members are encouraged to reach out to board members with suggestions and comments as they are there to represent your sailing communities.
Stay Informed
To ensure members are fully informed, the Weekly Lift will feature the nominees and voting information starting with the election opening on September 3rd. Reminders will also be sent out throughout the election period via the Weekly Lift and other US Sailing communication channels.
For more information about the nomination process, visit the Board Nomination FAQ page, https://www.ussailing.org/about/our-people/board-of-directors/board-nomination-frequently-asked-questions/
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About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), certified by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee as the National Governing Body for the sport of sailing in the United States, is dedicated to leading, advancing, supporting, and ensuring integrity in sailing at every level. Founded in 1897, US Sailing, now serving over 40,000 members as well as over 1,500 yacht clubs and sailing centers, offers training and certifications for sailors, instructors, and race officials, oversees national championships, manages offshore ratings, conducts regional and national events, and spearheads initiatives to increase accessibility. US Sailing also leads the training and development of the US Sailing Team for the Olympic Games and high-performance international competitions, providing comprehensive financial, logistical, coaching, technical, fitness, marketing, and communications support, as well as managing the Team USA athlete selection procedures for the Olympic Games. More at www.ussailing.org