Board Elects Officers, Approves 2021 Budget

The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports board of directors held its annual meeting on Sunday, Jan. 31, and elected its 2021-2022 officers and approved the organization’s 2021 budget as proposed.

Elected as officers were: Doug Robbins, chairman of the board; Bob Archambeau, president; Dale Stevens, vice president; and Joel Johanningmeier, secretary/treasurer.

Archambeau replaces Tim Cullen, who announced that he would not be seeking reelection after serving as president the past four years.

“I grew up on the water up in Michigan,” Archambeau said. “All the kids on the lake knew each other and we were always trying different things behind a boat. Friendships grew because we challenged each other and we tried pretty much everything! Being elected president of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports has brought back that challenge of having to try everything behind a boat. I am looking forward to teaming up with all sport disciplines to focus on two specific things. First, to promote the enjoyment of water skiing by encouraging our members to share on social media the types of fun we actually have on the water and then give the viewer that nudge to try this for themselves. Second, we need to provide a variety of useful tools to non-members who have an interest in many of the things we do behind a boat and bring them in as future members. If we could begin to provide a learning platform on a variety of topics that would interest anyone who plays upon the water, then we have the chance to introduce our sports and possibly increase membership. Sharing will be the key to our success!”

In other news, the board approved the expansion of athlete representation to the board from 20 percent to 33-1/3 percent as mandated by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and the addition of an independent director to the board, as mandated by the USOPC. Jason Lee and Connor Poggetto were elected as the two new athlete representatives to the board. Dr. Michael Flynn of Riverview, Fla., was elected as the new independent director (two-year term) to the board. 

Keith St. Onge (Athletes’ Advisory Council) was unanimously approved as an Honorary National Director.