2026 General Competition Division Board Representative Election

2026 General Competition Division Board Representative Election: Candidate Information and MTF Executive Committee Endorsement Process

About the General Competition Division Board Representative

Under the USATF Governance Handbook, members of the Masters Track & Field and Associations Committees elect their shared representative to the USA Track and Field Board of Directors in accordance with Regulation 9.
This position provides an important voice for both constituencies in USA Track and Field’s governance, strategic direction, financial oversight, and organizational decision-making. Given the distinct priorities and needs of Masters Track & Field and Associations, effective representation requires meaningful communication, collaboration, and accountability.

Background and Candidate Review Process

At its October 4, 2026, meeting, the Masters Track & Field (MTF) Executive Committee voted to establish a formal candidate review and endorsement process ahead of the 2026 USA Track and Field Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon.
The Executive Committee adopted two key decisions:
  • Establish a formal endorsement process requiring a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Committee to endorse a candidate.
  • Conduct the endorsement process ahead of the Annual Meeting, providing eligible voters an opportunity to consider the committee’s recommendation alongside their own evaluation of the candidates.

These decisions are documented in the October 4, 2026, Executive Committee Meeting Minutes.
As part of this process, all three declared candidates were invited to participate in a structured review. Each received identical questions addressing four areas of organizational importance:

  1. Representation and Constituent Priorities: Balancing the interests of Masters Track & Field and Associations, particularly when their priorities differ.
  2. Financial Stewardship and Resource Allocation: Evaluating organizational investments and advocating for responsible stewardship of USATF resources.
  3. Governance and Organizational Accountability: Promoting transparency, meaningful consultation, and appropriate oversight of decisions affecting both constituencies.
  4. Accessibility, Advocacy, and Follow-Through: Maintaining communication with committee leadership, responding to constituent concerns, and demonstrating accountability.

To accommodate scheduling conflicts among candidates and Executive Committee members, the committee transitioned from its originally proposed live meeting format to prerecorded presentations. All candidates received the same questions, presentation guidelines, and time allotment.

The Executive Committee reviewed the presentations and convened on November 9, 2026, to deliberate and conduct its endorsement vote in accordance with the previously established procedure.

Candidate Presentations and Materials

In the interest of transparency and informed participation, the Executive Committee is making the candidate presentations and supporting materials available to the broader Masters Track & Field membership.

Members are encouraged to review these materials to learn more about each candidate’s qualifications, perspectives, and approach to representing the General Competition Division.

Candidate Materials

Pam Fales

Simone Terry

Joy Upshaw

Additional Resources

Annual Meeting Election and Voting Eligibility

The Executive Committee’s endorsement process is separate from the election conducted under USA Track and Field’s governing procedures at the 2026 Annual Meeting.
Committee does not determine the election outcome or obligate any eligible voter to support a particular candidate.
Voting eligibility is governed by the applicable USA Track and Field election and credentialing requirements. All eligible voters from the Masters Track & Field and Associations Committees remain free to evaluate the candidates independently and vote for the candidate of their choice.
The Executive Committee encourages members to familiarize themselves with the candidates, review the available materials, and participate in the election process if eligible.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.