USRowing Announces Launch of New Leadership Groups

USRowing is excited to announce the formal launch of several new leadership groups, established to deepen connections across the rowing community, amplify member voices, and help guide the strategic direction of our sport.

These groups will work directly with USRowing leadership on policy, programming, and culture — representing the full breadth of rowing disciplines, from grassroots to high performance.

What These Groups Will Do:

Provide insight and feedback to USRowing on potential and existing initiatives, policies, and member experience.
Serve as a liaison between their stakeholder communities and USRowing leadership.
Help design and co-create forums, resources, and learning opportunities within their peer groups.
Promote continuing transparency, inclusivity, and a positive culture throughout the sport.

New Leadership Groups:

Scholastic Leadership Group — Leaders from scholastic programs who will help shape policy and educational opportunities.

Regatta Directors Leadership Group — Organizers and administrators of USRowing-sanctioned regattas who will share insights on regatta operations and growth.

Masters Working Group —This group (established 2023) is focused on long-term support for all rowers from age 21 to their 90s, working on community building, education, events, recruitment, health, retention, and advocacy.

Admins Leadership Group — Coaches, club administrators, and directors from a range of organizations working to strengthen youth and masters rowing, advise on USRowing’s membership offerings and technology platforms, and more.

Collegiate Rowing Leadership Group* — Collegiate coaches and program directors from all divisions. This group is not yet launched, but will be in early 2026.

Leadership Group Rosters

Admins Leadership Group

“Excited to collaborate with this group of like-minded leaders as we offer feedback and perspective on USRowing’s next stage of growth. Our community relies on all of us to contribute to a future that positions rowing as a lifelong, sustainable sport for all—because the active hands of many lift the sport higher.” - Austin Brooks, Dallas United Crew

Austin Brooks (Dallas United Crew – Texas)
Liza Dickson (Sammamish Rowing Association – Wash.)
Jackie Kleinhans (Ready Set Row)
Will Kuckro (New Orleans Rowing Club – La.)
Katie Moore (TriStar Rowing – Tenn.)
Michael Wieneke (Greenwich Crew – Conn.)

Masters Working Group

"I’ve been a Masters competitive rower, Regatta Director, Boatman, club director, and USRowing Safety Committee member for decades, and I welcome the opportunity to share my depth of experience with other Masters (young and old, experienced and novice) and organizations." - Jim Cooper, Norwalk River Rowing Club, CT

Marcel Bedard (Community Rowing– Mass.)
Josh Bilchik (Los Angeles Rowing – Calif.)
Jim Cooper (Norwalk River Rowing – Conn.)
Jay Evans (Annapolis Rowing – Md.)
Rachel Freedman (Capitol Rowing – D.C.)
Marie Leonard (Undine and Whitemarsh Rowing – Pa.)
Sally Mikesic (Three Rivers Rowing– Pa.)
Barbara Sanchez-Salazar (Gainesville Rowing – Fla.)

Regatta Directors Leadership Group

“I'm thrilled to lead the Regatta Directors Leadership Group with Alyssa Orth. This is an incredible opportunity to bring directors together, share best practices, and strengthen the support we offer our sanctioned regattas and, ultimately, the experience we each deliver at our events. I look forward to collaborating with this talented group and help shape the future of regatta operations nationwide.” - Sarah McCauliffe, USRowing

Caitlin Alaynick (Saratoga Rowing Association – N.Y.)
DeDe Birch (Sacramento State Aquatic Center and Capital Crew – Calif.)
Jeff Greenfield (Schuylkill Navy and Vesper – Pa.)
Mary Lockyer Browning (Big Ten Conference)
Bonnie Mueller (Schuylkill Navy – Pa.)
Bobbie Smith (San Diego Crew Classic – Calif.)
Jen Wesson (Head of the Shuylkill Regatta – Pa.)

Scholastic Leadership Group

"My hope is this committee can be effective advocates and points of contact for the scholastic rowing community and serve as a sounding board for some of the unique challenges that face our regions and communities." - Kit Bennett, Skyline Crew

Kit Bennett (Skyline Crew, Midwest Scholastic Rowing Association, Scholastic Rowing Association of America – Mich.)
William Forteith (Alcuin School, Dallas United Crew, Craftsbury Sculling Center, Dallas United Crew – Texas)
Larry Muri (New York State Scholastic Rowing Association, Chaminade High School – NY)
John Musial (Scholastic Rowing Association of America)
Leslie Pfeil(Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Association – Pa.)
Julia Rorer (Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, University Barge Club, Philadelphia Girls Rowing Club – Pa.)
Bryan Tylander (C. G. Woodson High School Rowing – Va.)

Looking Forward

The launch of these Leadership Groups marks an important milestone for USRowing and our wider rowing community. As our sport continues to grow — particularly as we look ahead to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games — we believe it’s more critical than ever to engage diverse perspectives in decision-making. Through these groups, we’re building and strengthening channels for collaboration, innovation, and sustained member impact.

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who has stepped forward to serve.

To engage with these groups or share feedback, please email community@usrowing.org