USA Shooting Announces Board Refresh to Drive Olympic and Paralympic Excellence

[USA Shooting]

USA Shooting Announces Board Refresh to Drive Olympic and Paralympic Excellence




COLO SPRGS, CO (Feb. 11, 2025) – USA Shooting, the National Governing Body for Olympic and Paralympic shooting sports in the United States, announced changes to its Board of Directors, reflecting the organization's commitment to robust governance and balanced athlete representation. Changes include two At-Large Directors elected by the membership, new Athlete Representative Directors elected by athletes, the election of a new Independent Director, and key positions including Board Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.



Election/Selection Process

Following the adoption of revised bylaws in the fall of 2024, USA Shooting has successfully completed athlete and board member election cycles that have transformed Board composition. This carefully structured process included new athlete-elected Athlete Representatives, membership-elected At-Large Directors, and a new Independent Director, implementing key governance reforms that strengthen athlete voice and member engagement in organizational leadership.



Board Chair, Vice Chair Appointments

The Board of Directors has elected Tim Rupli as Chair and Ward "Trig" French as Vice Chair, bringing proven leadership to guide USA Shooting's next chapter. Rupli succeeds Jim Mitchell, whose dedicated service and significant contributions have helped shape the foundation of shooting sports excellence in America.



"It is a profound honor to lead USA Shooting at this pivotal moment," said Rupli. "Under Chairman Mitchell's outstanding leadership, we assembled a world-class CEO and Board who have restored strong governance and financial stability to our organization. Looking ahead, our priority is to build clear, merit-based pathways for USA Shooting athletes to reach the podium at the LA 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games. Through the steadfast support of our sponsors and partners, we will strengthen our development infrastructure from junior programs to elite competition. USA Shooting stands resolute in defending our athletes' and members' right to proudly carry their pistols, rifles, and shotguns in competition, and we will continue to fight efforts to diminish or censor our sport. We undertake this mission with deep appreciation for our members, supporters, and the rich heritage of American shooting sports excellence. Above all, we recognize that our future success depends on the continued dedication of our athletes, members, and sponsors, whose faith and support drive everything we do."



At Large Directors

USA Shooting's membership has elected Jack Burch and Michael Chubb to serve as At-Large Directors, bringing valuable expertise and perspective to the Board. Burch brings extensive experience in shooting sports development and industry relations, while Chubb contributes significant background in business strategy and organizational growth. Their election by the membership reflects the shooting sports community's commitment to selecting leaders who can advance both competitive excellence and sport development.



New Independent Director

Naval Academy graduate Jim Byrne brings extensive leadership experience to USA Shooting's Board as its newest Independent Director. Currently serving as Vice President of Ethics and Business Conduct at Lockheed Martin, Byrne combines his legal expertise from Stetson University with a distinguished record of non-profit board service. His comprehensive background in ethics, governance, and leadership will be invaluable to USA Shooting's continued growth.



Athlete Representation

In recent elections, USA Shooting's athlete community selected four distinguished competitors to serve as their representatives on the Board of Directors. Athletes elected Dania Vizzi to serve as both Team USA Athletes' Advisory Council (AAC) Representative and USA Shooting Athlete Director. David Higgins was elected to represent the rifle discipline as Team USA AAC Alternate and Athlete Director, while Paralympic athlete Nick Beach and pistol athlete Anthony Lutz were selected by their peers to complete the athlete leadership as USA Shooting Athlete Directors. This athlete-elected group brings vital perspectives from across shooting disciplines, ensuring competitor voices remain central to USA Shooting's governance and decision-making process.



Secretary and Treasurer Appointments

The Board has elected Jack Burch as Secretary and Sara Walker as Treasurer, further strengthening USA Shooting's operational oversight. Burch, who will serve in dual roles as both Secretary and At-Large Director, brings comprehensive knowledge of shooting sports governance to the position. Walker's election as Treasurer leverages her extensive financial expertise and business acumen, positioning USA Shooting for sound fiscal management and sustainable growth. Their combined experience in organizational leadership and financial stewardship will be instrumental in advancing USA Shooting's strategic goals of expanding development pathways, strengthening high-performance programs, and building sustainable resources to support American athletes from grassroots to Olympic and Paralympic success.



Looking to LA2028

These governance milestones and board appointments position USA Shooting for long-term success as the organization builds toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where America's shooting sports athletes will compete for gold on home soil for the first time in over 30 years. "The breadth of expertise represented on our refreshed Board of Directors marks an important milestone for USA Shooting," said Kelly Reisdorf, CEO of USA Shooting. "From Olympic and Paralympic athletes who understand the demands of elite competition, to leaders who bring critical financial and governance expertise, this Board embodies the leadership needed to protect and advance our sport. Their combined experience in advocacy, athlete development, and business operations will be instrumental in building strong pathways from grassroots to podium, while ensuring USA Shooting remains a powerful voice for shooting sports in America. With this leadership team in place, we are well-positioned to support our athletes' competitive excellence and defend the proud traditions of our sport as we build toward LA 2028."



See the full USA Shooting Board of Directors: https://usashooting.org/about/leadership/



Media Contact:

Brittany Nelson
719-866-4883

media@usashooting.org