2026 MI-LMSC Board of Directors Candidates

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

USMS Membership. Each member of the Board of Directors must be an individual member of USMS registered through the MI-LMSC throughout her/his term of office.

Disclosures. Each member of the Board of Directors must disclose known conflicts of interest that may affect her/his decision-making and actions on behalf of the MI-LMSC. (For example, a board member who has a significant financial interest in a company that manufactures awards must disclose that fact if MI-LMSC considers purchasing awards from that company.)

Candidates Qualifications. Any individual registered with USMS through the MI-LMSC may be considered for an officer position.

Elections. Elections for elected members of the Board of Directors shall be conducted at the annual general membership meeting in even-numbered years, with the exception that the Vice-Chair shall automatically succeed the Chair. The Vice-Chair shall preside over elections and shall determine the method of voting.

Term. The term of office is two years beginning on June 1 of the year of election. A person may serve four consecutive or non-consecutive terms in the same office.

Vice Chair:

Number of Candidates Submitted: 1

The VICE CHAIR shall serve as a replacement for the Chair, when necessary, assist the Chair as required, monitor the need for bylaw and policy revisions, and chair an ad-hoc Nominating Committee. The Vice-Chair is the chair-elect and automatically succeeds the Chair at the end of the Chair’s term.

Candidate’s Name: Kevin Doak
  • Club or Workout Group: Stray Cats
  • How many years have you been a Michigan LMSC member? 21
  • How many years have you been a USMS member? 21
  • In the past three years, how many MI-LMSC annual meetings have you attended? 2
  • Do you currently hold, or have you ever previously held, a MI-LMSC Board or Review Committee position? If yes, please list each position, and the years served. No
  • Please state why you are interested in serving on the MI-LMSC Board of Directors. To give back and improve Michigan masters
  • Over the next 2–4 years, what key opportunities do you see for MI-LMSC’s growth or improvement? How might the Board support these opportunities? Race clinics, time trials, social events. By funding and promoting these events.
  • What makes you a good candidate for MI-LMSC VICE CHAIR? What education, training, or certifications in the financial sector do you have? What other skills, experiences, and attributes do you have that will contribute to the success of the MI-LMSC? I’m an accomplished competitor at nearly every level of swimming. I’ve run clinics, charity events, emceed large events, organized and redeveloped events. I network, I support other swimmers and I give back.
  • In the VICE CHAIR position, you will need to work with other board members. Describe an experience of how you have (or would have) navigated a situation where you needed to accommodate a variety of viewpoints. Compromise while leveraging a data-driven, yet compassionate perspective. Willing to try other ideas and ensure buy in through listening and finding common ground.
  • Additional Comments: Looking forward to continuing a great leadership legacy of Michigan masters

Sanctions Officer /Records/Top 10 Recorder:

Number of Candidates Submitted: 1

The SANCTIONS OFFICER shall: (a) solicit applications from clubs or workout groups to host MI-LMSC competitions; (b) assist meet managers to acquire sanctions/recognitions and to observe MI-LMSC and USMS rules when planning and conducting meets; (c) provide MI-LMSC supplies such as awards and timecards to meet managers; (d) schedule competitions; and (e) evaluate competitions.

Candidate’s Name: Shawn Taylor
  • Club or Workout Group: Cross Border Swim Training
  • How many years have you been a Michigan LMSC member? 1
  • How many years have you been a USMS member? 1
  • In the past three years, how many MI-LMSC annual meetings have you attended? 0
  • Do you currently hold, or have you ever previously held, a MI-LMSC Board or Review Committee position? If yes, please list each position, and the years served. No
  • Please state why you are interested in serving on the MI-LMSC Board of Directors. To help bridge the gap between American and Canadian swimmers.
  • Over the next 2–4 years, what key opportunities do you see for MI-LMSC’s growth or improvement? How might the Board support these opportunities? With CBST being the first Canadian owned and operated USMS training group I would like to expand Michigan Masters into Canada and to give the Michigan masters more opportunities to swim in a pool that can offer both short course and long course.
  • What makes you a good candidate for MI-LMSC SANCTION OFFICER? What education, training, or certifications in the financial sector do you have? What other skills, experiences, and attributes do you have that will contribute to the success of the MI-LMSC? I have been Meet Manager and Competition Coordinator for the past 6 years. I have extensive knowledge of Hytek software and Quantum timing systems. I have been the Club Officials Chair, handling over 200 parents and their officials’ progression.
  • In the SANCTIONS OFFICER position, you will need to work with other board members. Describe an experience of how you have (or would have) navigated a situation where you needed to accommodate a variety of viewpoints. With being a Level 5 Master Official in Canada, I have had to deal with many situations from parent complaints, swimmer complaints and coach complaints. Also, in my daytime profession as an HVAC service technician, I deal with people all day long.
  • Additional Comments: I would appreciate the opportunity to let my knowledge of the development of swim meets all the way to completion of the meets to help Michigan Masters become stronger.

Membership Coordinator:

Number of Candidates Submitted: 1

The MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR shall be responsible for the registration of individual members, clubs, and workout groups, and shall maintain a current list of all members.

Candidate’s Name: Barbara E. Church
  • Club or Workout Group: FAST
  • How many years have you been a Michigan LMSC member? 20+
  • How many years have you been a USMS member? 20+
  • In the past three years, how many MI-LMSC annual meetings have you attended? 3
  • Do you currently hold, or have you ever previously held, a MI-LMSC Board or Review Committee position? If yes, please list each position, and the years served. Michigan Masters Membership Coordinator 2023 to current
  • Please state why you are interested in serving on the MI-LMSC Board of Directors. I have been a board member the past 4 years and you get to see another side of Michigan Masters swimming. I am interested in improving the experience for the Michigan Master Community.
  • Over the next 2–4 years, what key opportunities do you see for MI-LMSC’s growth or improvement? How might the Board support these opportunities? I have found out that some of the older swimmers (75 and up) either have quit master swimming or not starting because of cost. I would like to come up with a system that helps out the older swimmer.
  • What makes you a good candidate for MI-LMSC MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR? What education, training, or certifications in the financial sector do you have? What other skills, experiences, and attributes do you have that will contribute to the success of the MI-LMSC? I have the computer skills needed, the time to commit to the position to promote master swimming, and the experience with this position. During my term I have made a point to respond to any swimmers requests with a timely resolution.
  • In the MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR position, you will need to work with other board members. Describe an experience of how you have (or would have) navigated a situation where you needed to accommodate a variety of viewpoints. The past four years as membership coordinator I have worked with the other board members on a variety of topics. We discuss and state our opinions and as a group we make the best decision for the LMSC
  • Additional Comments: I look forward in another term serving the members of Michigan Masters

Treasurer:

Number of Candidates Submitted: 1

The TREASURER shall receive all monies, and pay all bills approved by the MI-LMSC, maintain all financial records, prepare an annual budget, and make timely reports to USMS, the Board of Directors, and the MI-LMSC general membership.

Candidate’s Name: Patrick Weiss
  • Club or Workout Group: BKTS
  • How many years have you been a Michigan LMSC member? 17
  • How many years have you been a USMS member? 17
  • In the past three years, how many MI-LMSC annual meetings have you attended? 3
  • Do you currently hold, or have you ever previously held, a MI-LMSC Board or Review Committee position? If yes, please list each position, and the years served. Sanctions – 2024-2026, Chair 2022-2024, 2017-2019, Vice-Chair 2019-2022, 2015-2017, Treasurer 2011-2015
  • Please state why you are interested in serving on the MI-LMSC Board of Directors. I want to help continue the trajectory of growth and participation of local swimmers in the Michigan LMSC.
  • Over the next 2–4 years, what key opportunities do you see for MI-LMSC’s growth or improvement? How might the Board support these opportunities? One prime opportunity for the next few years is integrating the hundreds of College Club Swimmers in Michigan into the Michigan LMSC.
  • What makes you a good candidate for MI-LMSC TREASURER? What education, training, or certifications in the financial sector do you have? What other skills, experiences, and attributes do you have that will contribute to the success of the MI-LMSC?  My background in international business, law, and financial transactions gives me the background needed to maintain the financial aspects of the Michigan LMSC. I have an MBA and have run my own international import/export corporation for 30+ years.
  • In the TREASURER position, you will need to work with other board members. Describe an experience of how you have (or would have) navigated a situation where you needed to accommodate a variety of viewpoints.  After an absence of many years, trying to accommodate a meet on the west side of the state required new ideas. I floated the idea of a multi-year bid to help the Holland Aquatic Center bid and plan to host the annual State Meet Championship.
  • Additional Comments:  As one of the most successful LMSC’s in the USA (in terms of growth and participation,) I will help bring even more new activities (like Olympic swimmer led clinics) to our yearly schedule.

Secretary:

Number of Candidates Submitted: 1

The SECRETARY shall record minutes of meetings and make timely reports to USMS, the Board of Directors, and the MI-LMSC general membership.

Candidate’s Name: Ali Blondell
  • Club or Workout Group: BKTS
  • How many years have you been a Michigan LMSC member? 8
  • How many years have you been a USMS member? 8
  • In the past three years, how many MI-LMSC annual meetings have you attended? 2
  • Do you currently hold, or have you ever previously held, a MI-LMSC Board or Review Committee position? If yes, please list each position, and the years served. No
  • Please state why you are interested in serving on the MI-LMSC Board of Directors. I want to be able to continue the growth of younger USMS swimmers and the enjoyment of the sport.
  • Over the next 2–4 years, what key opportunities do you see for MI-LMSC’s growth or improvement? How might the Board support these opportunities? Increased participation of local and national meets. The board can help this by promoting and encouraging swimmers.
  • What makes you a good candidate for MI-LMSC SECRETARY? What education, training, or certifications in the financial sector do you have? What other skills, experiences, and attributes do you have that will contribute to the success of the MI-LMSC? Leadership, organization, time management.
  • In the SECRETARY position, you will need to work with other board members. Describe an experience of how you have (or would have) navigated a situation where you needed to accommodate a variety of viewpoints. Everyone has viewpoints of how an organization should be run, however, one needs to listen and be present in the moments to help determine outcomes. We all come from different aspects of the sport, so listening to all viewpoints is imperative.
  • Additional Comments: