USA Softball Adds Eight New Board of Directors Members

USA Softball has announced the election of eight new members to its board of directors through 2026.

Tony Gowell was elected Region 1 Vice President, joined by new Region 9 Vice President Rick Hansen. The elected at-large member is Beverly Wiley, while Jari Askins is an independent member. Four new athlete representatives join the board — Aubrey Leach, Blaine Milheim, Zac Shaw and Mike Lewis.

“I am humbled and honored to be a member of the USA Softball Board of Directors,” said Askins. “The rapid growth in softball participation and support will become even more exciting as we prepare for the Olympics.”

Leach was named All-SEC second team while playing at the University of Tennessee and was a member of the USA squad that won gold at the 2023 Pan American Games. Milheim and Shaw both played for Team USA in the 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation Men’s World Cup Stage and for the 2022 Pan American Championship team. Lewis was selected to Team USA’s Men’s National Team in 2021 and has been on the Virginia Tech softball coaching staff since 2020. He was recently promoted to associate head coach.

“I’m excited to get this opportunity to work with USA Softball in another role outside of the field,” said Shaw. “It’s also exciting knowing how much good this organization does for so many people and the opportunities it provides.”

The national governing body is overseen by a 24-member board of directors, which includes a president, president-elect and an immediate past president, along with 10 regional vice presidents. Additionally, there are eight athlete representatives elected by the athletes, one at-large director and one independent director — both elected by the board — and one affiliated organization director chosen by the affiliated organizations.