September 2024 Board Meeting Recap: Damien Lehfeldt Elected as Chair of USA Fencing Board of Directors

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Damien Lehfeldt, a longtime member of USA Fencing and well-known as “The Fencing Coach,” was elected as the new Chair of the Board of Directors at the annual Board Retreat in Salt Lake City. 

All current At-Large Directors of the USA Fencing Board were eligible to run for the role of Chair. Interested candidates put forth their names for a vote among their fellow Board members. Lehfeldt’s term as Chair will run through Sept. 1, 2025, with an opportunity to be re-elected.

The role of Chair was most recently held by David Arias, whose term expired in 2024 along with outgoing At-Large Director Peter Burchard. We thank both men for their service.

Lehfeldt, a USFCA-certified Maitre D’Epee and coach based in Northern Virginia, brings nearly 30 years of experience in fencing to the role. His leadership background includes serving as a data and analysis consultant for the Men’s Epee National Team and producing numerous national medalists.

Lehfeldt shares his excitement for the future. 

“I cannot think of a greater honor in my lifetime in the sport than being elected as Chair of the Board,” he says. “Largely due to the forward-thinking, member-centricity, and innovation of Phil Andrews and the National Office staff, I cannot think of a better time to lead than right now.”

Lehfeldt says he’s committed to promoting transparency, inclusion and zealous advocacy for all members of USA Fencing as they work toward executing the 2024-2028 Strategic Plan.

Motion 1 (Passed): Independent Director Appointment

The Board appointed Andrea Pagnanelli as an Independent Director for a term ending in Fall 2026. Pagnanelli, who was first seated to fill the remaining term of former Independent Director Aimee Rice in May 2024,  was highly recommended for her leadership and impactful contributions since joining the Board earlier this year​.

The Board also thanked Independent Directors Amanda Nguyen and Darryl Jacobs for their service as their terms will end following recommendations for two new Independent Directors for a vote at the Board’s December 2024 meeting.

Motion 2 (Passed): Board Appointments

The following individuals were appointed as non-voting members of the Board of Directors:

• Treasurer: Emily Bian

• Secretary: Christina Pachuta

• Parliamentarian: Peter Barton​

Motion 1 (Passed): International Relations Committee Structure

The International Relations Committee was restructured to include two subcommittees focused on the FIE (able-bodied) and World Abilitysport (parafencing) communities. This change aims to balance the diverse needs and ensure efficient knowledge-sharing between the two communities​.

Motion 2 (Withdrawn): Budget Committee Composition

A proposed revision to the Budget Committee structure, adding two non-voting members from the general membership with relevant financial experience, was withdrawn.

Motion 3 (Passed): Committee Appointments

The Board approved the composition of USA Fencing committees, resource groups and councils for the 2024-25 season with the exception of a change made to the Budget Committee pursuant to the result of the previous motion (Budget Committee Composition). The committee task force reviewed 233 applications in all, with thanks to all our devoted USA Fencing members who applied.

Motion 4 (Passed): International Nominations to FIE Congress

The Board approved that the following individuals be put forward as nominees to the FIE and World Abilitysport for the 2024 Electoral Congresses, and/or recommend that these candidates be appointed as appropriate.

• ComEx: Don Anthony Jr*
• Veterans: Rita Comes*
• Coaches: Greg Massialas OLY*
• Athlete: Alexander Massialas OLY*
• Medical: Jeremy Summers*
• Legal: Lorrie Marcil Holmes
• Disciplinary Panel: Donald Alperstein*
• Rules: Kelly Koehler*
• Referee: Iana Dakova*
• SEMI: Ted Li
• Fair Play: Jennifer Yamin*
• Women’s: Felicia Zimmerman OLY
• Marketing & Promotion: Carl Borack OLY
• Ethics: Peter Barton

• Voting Delegates: Maria Panyi and Jennifer Yamin

• Wheelchair Fencing Executive Committee: None**
• Voting Delegate 1: Scott Rodgers PLY
• Voting Delegate 2: Phil Andrews

*Indicates an incumbent.

**World Abilitysport are likely to appoint a U.S. individual to the Executive Committee

for Wheelchair Fencing per the recommendation of the World Abilitysport Wheelchair

Fencing Chair.

Motion 5 (Passed): Compensation and Review Committee

The Board approved the makeup of the Compensation and Review Group for 2024-25, including the Chair of the Board (Damien Lehfeldt), one Independent Director (Andrea Pagnanelli), one Athlete Representative (Lauryn DeLuca), one At-Large Director to serve ex-officio (Abdel Salem), and the treasurer to serve ex-officio (Emily Bian)

Motion 6 (Sent to Committee): Hall of Fame Candidates

The Board sent back to the Hall of Fame Committee a proposal to induct several candidates into the USA Fencing Hall of Fame as a way to address a gap from 1979 to 1995 during which nobody was inducted into the USA Fencing Hall of Fame. 

Motion 7 (Passed): Bylaw Changes

The Board adopted amendments to USA Fencing’s bylaws which were put forward at the July 6 Board meeting and were provided the 45-day member comment period. A minor amendment to the proposed bylaw changes was made to adjust 12.18.c to change the Referee Commission terms from September 1 - August 31 to August 1 - July 31 to better align with the competition season. As this change was a minor alteration, it does not require the 45-day comment period.

Motion 8 (Withdrawn): Board Meeting Recordings

The Board withdrew a motion ensuring that video recordings of public sessions of the Board of Directors would be posted online. 

Motion 9 (Withdrawn): Roll-Call Voting

The Board withdrew a motion requiring that a record of how each member voted be included in the minutes, posted within 30 days of the Board meeting.

Motion 10 (Passed): Treasurer Financial Access

The Board approved a motion to update the USA Fencing financial policy to grant the Treasurer access to the financial records of the organization.

Motion 11 (Failed): Olympic and Paralympic Survey

The Board did not pass a motion instructing the National Office to conduct a survey focused on the experience of the cadre and athletes at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, given that a similar mechanism for collecting feedback from the athletes is already underway. 

Motion 12 (Withdrawn): USA Fencing Club Insurance Policy Publication

A motion requiring the National Office to post the club insurance policy for club owners to view was withdrawn, since the publication is already readily made available.

Motion 13 (Passed): Y8 Tournament Format

The Board approved a motion to suspend immediately the previously approved and announced Y8 Tournament Format changes and to send the consideration of whether to change the format back to the Tournament Committee and Coaches Committee. This means an immediate suspension to previously announced changes like a shorter blade length for Y8 fencers, shorter strip length and modified competition format.

Read more about this change.

Motion 14 (Passed): Black Card Policy Updates

The Board approved the revised Black Card Policy, which was adjusted to better align with USA Fencing Complaint and Hearing Procedures and to permit flexibility to impose sanctions beyond a 2-month suspension when circumstances warrant it.

Motion 15 (Passed): International Relations Task Force

The Board approved an additional motion to create an International Relations Task Force to explore how international relations should be included in the USA Fencing 2024-28 Strategic Plan.