U.S. Association of Blind Athletes Announces Newly Appointed Board Members

The U.S. Association of Blind Athletes has announced its Board of Directors as the organization continues to expand blind and visually impaired sports across the country with Mark Ackermann returning as board chair for a second term.

“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as Board Chair for another term,” said Ackermann. “USABA is at an exciting stage, with the rapid growth of blind soccer and continued international success of our athletes. Our newly appointed board reflects a strong commitment to athlete leadership, expertise in sport governance, and gender representation—ensuring a broad range of perspectives to guide USABA’s future.”

The USABA Board now includes gender representation, with women serving in key leadership roles, including Secretary, Athlete Directors and Independent Directors. This year’s appointments include a significant milestone for blind soccer, as Charles Catherine has been named to the board. With the USA Blind Soccer National Team internationally ranked and preparing for its Paralympic debut at the LA28 Games, Catherine’s appointment ensures that the sport is represented at the leadership level.

USABA Board of Directors 2025-2028

• Mark Ackermann – Board Chair, At-Large Director, Freehold, New Jersey
• Skye Arthur-Banning – Vice-Chair, At-Large Director, Pendleton, South Carolina
• Gary Remensnyder – Treasurer, At-Large Director, St. Augustine, Florida
• Amy Wasson – Secretary, At-Large Director, Camarillo, California
• Zach Buhler, PLY – Athlete Director, El Paso, Texas
• Charles-Edouard Catherine – Athlete, New York City
• David Cohen – At-Large Director, Aliso Viejo, California
• Cody Colchado Jr. – Constituent Director, Linn-San Manuel, Texas
• Mindy Cook, PLY – Athlete Director, Columbus, Ohio
• Brian Eaton – Independent Director, Colorado Springs
• John Kusku, PLY – Athlete Director, Team USA AC Representative, Commerce Township, Michigan
• Matthew Simpson, PLY – Athlete Director, McClean, Virgina
• Eve Wright Taylor – Independent Director, Atlanta

USABA Committees & Team USA AC Representation

Ethics and Judicial Committee

• Brian Darcy – Chair
• Jennifer Armbruster, PLY – Athlete Representative
• Spencer Higgins – Member

Nominations and Governance Committee

• Erika Petach – Chair
• Jennifer Demby, OLY – Athlete Representative

Team USA Athletes’ Commission Representation

• John Kusku, PLY – Team USA AC Representative
• Ali Lawson – Team USA AC Alternate