USRowing Board of Directors Appoints Zagunis as Board Chair

Olympian, longtime rowing leader, and veteran governance executive to help guide USRowing through pivotal period toward LA28 

June 23, 2026 — USRowing, the national governing body for the sport of rowing in the United States, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Robert Zagunis as Chair of the USRowing Board of Directors. 

Zagunis, who was recently appointed to the Board as an At-Large Director, brings substantial leadership experience across rowing, Olympic and national governing body sport, nonprofit governance, finance, and investment management. A former U.S. National Team rower and 1976 Olympian, Zagunis has remained deeply engaged in the sport for more than five decades as an athlete, referee, volunteer leader, donor, USRowing Foundation trustee, and board member. 

“Robert brings a rare combination of rowing credibility, financial discipline, nonprofit governance experience, and steady leadership,” said Don Reynolds, former Acting Board Chair of USRowing. “At this important moment for USRowing, the Board is focused on continuity, organizational strength, and forward momentum. Robert understands the sport, he understands the responsibilities of board and trustee service, and he has consistently demonstrated a thoughtful, collaborative, organization-first approach to leadership.” 

Zagunis previously served on the USRowing Board of Directors from 1990 to 1994, including as Treasurer and a member of the Executive Committee. During that period, USRowing helped stage the 1994 World Rowing Championships, the first time the event was held in the United States. He also served as a USRowing referee, Northwest representative to the Referee Committee, chair of the 1983 USRowing Annual Convention in Portland, and Trustee of the Casitas Fund, an endowment dedicated to supporting USRowing initiatives. 

Since 2023, Zagunis has served as a Trustee of the USRowing Foundation, where he has been active across several initiatives supporting the organization’s long-term financial stability and the U.S. National Team. His service has included work on the Membership Committee, support for high performance programming, involvement with the current Caspersen Boathouse and training center expansion effort, and participation in the Golden Oar Legacy Society.  

“I am honored to serve as Chair of the USRowing Board of Directors at a time of great importance and opportunity for our sport,” said Robert Zagunis, Chair and At-Large Board Member. “USRowing has meaningful momentum, a dedicated staff, committed athletes and coaches, and a passionate national community. My focus will be on helping the Board provide steady, thoughtful governance, supporting the organization’s leadership, and ensuring we remain focused on our priorities: strengthening the sport, supporting our members, and building toward LA28 and beyond.” 

As Board Chair, Zagunis will help lead the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities, including setting policy, overseeing strategic direction, establishing and monitoring the annual budget, hiring and evaluating the next permanent Chief Executive Officer, and supporting the work of Board committees. His appointment comes as USRowing continues to advance its strategic priorities across organizational health, member value, inclusion, sport growth, and high performance. 

Beyond rowing, Zagunis has held significant leadership roles across sport and nonprofit organizations. From 2014 to 2023, he served as Steward, Trustee, and President of the United States Fencing Foundation, the fundraising arm of USA Fencing. During his eight-year presidency, the Foundation established a major fundraising initiative that included six weapon-specific endowments supporting men’s and women’s foil, épée, and sabre. He also served as President of the Oregon Fencing Alliance, an internationally recognized saber fencing club and home to multiple Olympians and world champions. 

Zagunis’ nonprofit governance experience also includes service as Trustee, Treasurer, Executive Committee member, and President of the Japanese Garden Society of Portland/Japan Institute, where he helped guide the organization through significant growth, including a $37 million expansion and substantial increases in revenue and staffing. He has also served in leadership and advisory roles with the Oregon State University Athletic Director’s Advisory Board, the Oregon Committee for the Olympics, the Oregon State University Boathouse Fundraising Project, the Rowing Foundation of Oregon, the Nike World Masters Games, and several charitable foundations and civic organizations. 

Professionally, Zagunis spent 25 years with Jensen Investment Management, retiring as Chairman and Managing Director. He previously held senior banking and finance roles with Union Bank of California and First Interstate Bank of Oregon, where he managed lending, corporate banking, and middle-market finance responsibilities. His financial and investment experience aligns closely with the Board’s responsibilities to establish the annual budget, monitor financial operations – including investments, oversee long-term strategy, and ensure responsible governance of the organization. 

Zagunis is a graduate of Oregon State University, where he won the 1975 IRA national championship in the four with coxswain. He represented the United States at the 1975 World Championships and Pan American Games, and at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, where he rowed as the stroke of the four with coxswain. 

About USRowing 
USRowing is the national governing body for the sport of rowing in the United States, responsible for stewarding, strengthening, and growing American rowing by championing performance and igniting new passion for the sport. USRowing serves a broad and dedicated community—athletes, coaches, referees, volunteers, clubs, and event organizers—and the U.S. National Team. Through events, programming, education, and fundraising, USRowing supports participation at every level—from learn-to-row novices through the high performance athletes dedicated to reaching Olympic and Paralympic podium. 

Media inquiries: media@usrowing.org