USA Swimming Elects Dolan, Ugast, Bentz to Board

Tom Dolan, Tom Ugast, and Gunnar Bentz were elected to the USA Swimming Board of Directors. The House of Delegates voted to fill vacated At-Large and athlete representative seats.

Tom Dolan will take over an At-Large position vacated by Katy Aris-Wilson. Tom Ugast will take over an At-Large position vacated by Kenneth Chung. Gunnar Bentz will take over Maya (DiRado) Andrews’s 10-Year Athlete representative spot.

Backgrounds and Experience

Each new board member brings a wealth of high-level experience. Their backgrounds span Olympic glory, national team service, and extensive club leadership.

Tom Dolan is a two-time Olympian and three-time Olympic medalist. He won gold in the 400-meter individual medley at the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Games, adding a silver in the 200-meter individual medley in Sydney. A former University of Michigan swimmer, he won nine NCAA titles. Dolan is an International Swimming Hall of Fame inductee. After retiring, he launched the Tom Dolan Swim School and now serves as President of Corporate Pools for Big Blue Swim School, overseeing 22 locations. He previously served as an athlete member of the USA Swimming Board and on the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Advisory Council.

Tom Ugast is a longtime club owner and coach. He is the CEO and President of NCAP and has worked with athletes at every level, from novices to elites. He has previous USA Swimming Board experience, where he helped with fiscal oversight and Local Swimming Committee leadership.

Gunnar Bentz is a two-time Olympian and Olympic gold medalist. He earned gold as a member of the men’s 4x200 freestyle relay at the 2016 Rio Games and also competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The former University of Georgia swimmer and team captain has served on the USA Swimming National Team Steering Committee since retiring. He spent six months working with World Aquatics in Switzerland and now works in project management and operations in the data center industry.

Priorities and Vision

The new board members are expected to guide USA Swimming's dual mission of elite success and grassroots development. Tom Ugast emphasized this balanced focus in his candidate biography.

Tom Ugast said: "I have always felt we have these 2 goals we must focus on." He identified them as winning medals for Team USA and developing young swimmers at the local level to achieve their goals. Ugast noted that not every swimmer will make a national team, but clubs must be given the resources to help each athlete reach their highest possible level.

USA Swimming CEO Kevin Ring welcomed the new leadership. Kevin Ring said: "The election of these new Board members reflects our ongoing commitment to attracting leaders who are deeply invested in our mission and future success." He stated their collective experience would help guide the organization as it pursues ambitious goals.

Term Details and Recognition

The terms for the new directors are set, and outgoing members have been acknowledged for their contributions.

Both At-Large members, Dolan and Ugast, will serve four-year terms through 2030. Bentz assumes the dedicated 10-Year Athlete representative role. The organization thanked outgoing members Katy Arris-Wilson, Kenneth Chung, and Maya (DiRado) Andrews for their service on the Board.

Tom Dolan will take over an At-Large position vacated by Katy Aris-Wilson, Tom Ugast will take over an At-Large position vacated by Kenneth Chung, and Gunnar Bentz will assume Maya (DiRado) Andrews’s seat.