USA Luge announced new board of directors

Simkin to serve as president; board includes Olympic medalists, athlete representatives and leaders from across the nation

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (Oct. 14, 2026)—USA Luge has announced its new Board of Directors, with Don Simkin (Youngsville, N.Y./Santa Monica, Calif.) serving as president of the organization's governing body.

The board brings together individuals with backgrounds in business, sports administration and competitive luge to provide strategic direction and oversight as USA Luge continues to develop athletes, strengthen its programs and build toward the 2030 Olympic Winter Games in the French Alps.

Joining Simkin in board leadership roles are Secretary Jennifer Wesselhoff (Park City, Utah) and Treasurer Robert Pokelwaldt (Kitty Hawk, N.C.).

In addition, the board features several prominent figures from the sport, including 2018 Olympic silver medalist Chris Mazdzer, 2026 Olympic bronze medalist Ashley Farquharson, recently retired Olympian Tucker West and Olympian Zack DiGregorio. Their participation ensures athlete perspectives remain an important part of the organization's governance and decision-making.

The board also includes representatives from the eastern and western luge communities, providing a voice for clubs that play an essential role in introducing young athletes to the sport and developing future national team members.

USA Luge CEO, Scott Riewald, commented, "This board brings together individuals with diverse, but complimentary skill sets—which is critically important as we work to build on the successes achieved these past years and set the vision and strategic plan as USA Luge looks to the future. We have great opportunities ahead of us, and I'm excited about the work we can accomplish in the coming years."

The USA Luge board of directors includes:

General directors

Don Simkin, President — Youngsville, N.Y./Santa Monica, Calif.

Wendy Guthrie — Denver, Colo.

Matthew Mortensen — Huntington, N.Y.

Independent directors

Jennifer Wesselhoff, Secretary — Park City, Utah

Robert Pokelwaldt, Treasurer — Kitty Hawk, N.C.

Bob Miller — New Ringgold, Pa.

Club representatives

Michael Thomas, Western Club Representative — Park City, Utah

Elmer Rinehart, Eastern Club Representative — Negaunee, Mich.

Athlete representatives

Chris Mazdzer, Team USA Athletes' Commission Representative — Salt Lake City, Utah 

Ashley Farquharson, Team USA Athletes' Commission Alternate Representative — Park City, Utah

Tucker West, USLA Internal Athletes’ Commission Representative  —  Atlanta, Ga. 

Zack DiGregorio, USLA Internal Athletes’ Commission Representative — Medway, Mass.