2025 Director Election and Bylaws Referendum Results
We are pleased to announce the results of the 2025 Board of Directors election and bylaws referendum. This year's election saw participation from 14% our membership.
2025 Bylaws Referendum Results
The bylaws referendum was approved, with 811 votes in favor and 432 opposed. You can click on the following for a redline of the changes and the rationale behind this proposal.
2025 Election Results
These dedicated individuals were selected by our membership to guide USHPA in its mission: to deliver programs and services that support all our members, foster a community of skilled and knowledgeable pilots, and promote and protect the freedom to fly. They will serve a two-year term starting January 1:
- Bob Ferris
- Olga Grunskaya
- Pamela Kinnaird
- Kirby Ryan
The ten-member 2026 board will consist of these four, plus four carryover directors, and two Designated Directors that will be appointed by the elected board at their first meeting in January. The officers for the year will also be selected at that first meeting.
2026 Board of Directors
Two-year terms expiring December 2026:
- Charles Allen
- Nick Greece
- Stephan Mentler
- Van Spurgeon
Two-year terms expiring December 2027:
- Bob Ferris
- Olga Grunskaya
- Pamela Kinnaird
- Kirby Ryan
One-year terms expiring December 2026:
- Designated Director - to be appointed by the board in January
- Designated Director - to be appointed by the board in January
Representation Algorithm Process
The representation algorithm seeks to ensure that the eight elected directors represent as much as possible all regions of the country, our two primary wing types, and a mix of ages and genders. The categories are filled in order, taking the candidate with the most votes who fulfills the next needed requirement:
- at least 1 director from each region
- at least 3 of each wing type (hang gliding or paragliding)
- at least 3 under age 40 and 3 age 40 or older
- at least 2 women and 2 men
The following table illustrates the process graphically:
The algorithm looks first at the sitting board to determine which categories are lacking. In this election, the sitting directors represent Regions 2, 3, 4, and 5; three hang glider pilots, and one paraglider pilot; four over age 40; and four men. To meet our representation goals we needed: one director from Region 1, two paraglider pilots, three directors under age 40, and two females.
The candidate from Region 1 with the highest number of votes was Olga Grunskaya, making her the first director selected.
The next priority is wing type. Olga, already selected, is a paraglider pilot, leaving a requirement for one more. The remaining paraglider pilot with the most votes was Pamela Kinnaird, making her the second selected director.
Olga and Pamela also fulfill the requirements for two female directors. The only unsatisfied requirement remaining was for three directors under age 40. The candidate with the most votes meeting that criteria was Kirby Ryan, making him the third selected director. With no other candidates meeting this criteria, the final selection goes to the remaining candidate with the highest number of votes, Bob Ferris.
Thank you to everyone who voted, and congratulations and thank you to our volunteer USHPA directors!