Celebrating the Outgoing and Incoming USAAS Board of Directors

The 2024 Annual Convention was a festive celebration of every area of our membership. During our Saturday afternoon session, we celebrated the leaders that helped guide the organization to the successful place that we are in today and elected new leaders to build our future. We want to again thank the following Board of Directors members that termed off for their dedicated volunteer service, “Without the trust and strong support of these board members, dreams would not have been realized. They are a big part of why the future of the organization is so bright! Thank you all.”, said CEO Adam Andrasko

Board members who termed off:

Denise Shively – President

Emma Tchakmakjian - Athlete Executive Council President

Irene Hawes – Vice President Olympic International

Ashley Johnson – Vice President Diversity Equity and Inclusion

Bill May – General Athlete Representative

Former President Denise Shively reflects on her time with Artistic Swimming, "What a privilege it has been to work with this committed board of director and our membership the past four years.  We have made great strides in athlete safety, gender inclusion, support for our national team, and operationalizing many of the procedures once held by volunteers. These actions provide for stability allowing us to grow and succeed.  It was the effort of our “team” that led the way forward."

We are also excited to announce the election of the following Board of Directors members who will continue to build on the foundation set by their predecessors. Newly appointed President Kim Kohut shares, "I am deeply honored that the members of USA Artistic Swimming put their trust in me to lead our organization into our next chapter.  Denise has been an incredible leader and has truly elevated our purpose as a Board of Directors to be more strategic in long-term planning.  I am humbled to follow in her footsteps and look forward to continuing to build our four foundational pillars of empowering athletes, enhancing membership value, embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and exemplifying organizational excellence.  Our future is very bright and it is a privilege to work with our new leadership team."

Newly Elected BOD Members:

Kimberly Kohut – President – previously served as Secretary (non-voting)

Natalia Vega – Athlete Executive Council President – previously served as General Athlete Representative

Cheryl Russell – Vice President Olympic International

Monica Velazquez-Stiak – Vice President Diversity Equity and Inclusion – will also continue to serve as USOPC – AAC Athlete Representative Alternate (non-voting)

Andrea Nott Miles – General Athlete Representative

Jaime Czarkowski - General Athlete Representative

Reelected BOD Members:

Kerhyl Gantt – Independent Director

Jennell Lynch – Independent Director

Joanne Pasternack – Independent Director

Stacey Chapman – Independent Director

Will Hold Non Voting Advisory Positions:

Denise Shively – Past President

Bill May – AQUA Athlete Representative