Meeting held on June 26, 2026; at D. Rowes Restaurant in Columbia MO.
Sanjiv Gupta, USAWA Vice President presiding
Meeting Notes: Jessica Hopps
Called to order 6:04pm
USAWA Members Present:
- Kristen Traub
- Jayden Traub
- Neveah Traub
- Larry Traub
- Drew Traub
- Chad Ullom
- Dave Glasgow
- Dave Deforest
- Tony Lupo
- Allison Lupo
- David Beversdorf
- Jeff Wenzel
- Dylan Wenzel
- Logan Wenzel
- Lisa Gore
- Bill Clark
- Jarrod Forbes
- Nisha Gupta
- Tony Hose
- Jessica Hopps
- Sanjiv Gupta
2025 meeting minutes have been posted on usawa.com for review; motion made to approve meeting minutes. Motion carries.
Officer Reports:
Treasurer Bill Clark presented a report in person during meeting, copies distributed to members present. At time of meeting; current USAWA bank account: $17,558.66; no outstanding bills. 2026 has brought in 65 paid individual memberships, and 7 club memberships. A full report can be requested via email.
Award Director/Records Director Tony Lupo presented report in person. Reported over 1200 new records have been added to the record books. This year’s voting of annual awards yielded higher voting percentages than previous years; would like to continue to encourage further engagement still.
Website Director Report: By acting Secretary Sanjiv Gupta: Website continues to be produced in WordPress with content being published by a handful of trusted members. The domain is registered with Network Solutions. Curtis Cooper continues as the consultant that maintains the website and resolves issues. The website was down earlier this year due to high volume access from overseas; the website is not only accessible from the United States, UK, Australia and New Zealand. No changes planned for the upcoming year.
Drug Enforcement Director: Currently Vacant. Two drug tests were performed in the 2025 National Championships. One was positive, one negative. Once a new Director is appointed, they can establish an MRO account.
Officials Director Joe Garcia, presented by Sanjiv Gupta; New Level 2 officials Jeff Wenzel, Jarrod Forbes. New Level 1 officials Jessica Hopps, Dan Jones, Kim Van Wagner. New officials in training Philip Marlin.
Postal Meet Director Denny Habecker, presented by Sanjiv Gupta- 2025 Postal Series was a great success with 12 women and 36 men competing. 2026 is off to a great start with 4 women and 20 men competing in Q1. The top 5 men so far are Barry Bryan, Jeff Wenzel, Riley Wenzel, Nils Larson, and Anthony Lupo; the top woman so far is Kim Van Wagner.
Social Media Director currently vacant. Facebook continues to be the primary social media platform. It is a private group with 497 members. Aside from USAWA business and announcements, some content is generated by non-USAWA members regarding historic all around weightlifting and general odd lifting. Reddit is active with minimal content. The Instagram pages have been archived.
VP to IAWA– Denny Habecker and Sanjiv Gupta. Report available at https://www.usawa.com/iawa-world-council-meeting/
Motion to accept all officer reports made; motion carries.
Old Business
Sanjiv Gupta motioned to delete rule “Meet directors reserve the right to remove any athlete due to disruptive behavior.”
Discussion followed; hearing opinions both for and against motion.
Motion carries; rule to be deleted.
Sanjiv Gupta motions to delete addendum to Section IX sub-section 4 “at the meet director’s discretion, including USAWA National events”
Discussion followed; hearing opinions both for and against motion.
Motion carries; addendum to be deleted.
New Business
New Lifts: 6 were presented over the past year; however none were approved by the executive board. New Lift approvals must be sent to usawasec@gmail.com at least 4 weeks before the annual meeting to be considered by the executive board. Historically the EB has considered (1) Is it a new lift, (2) Does it represent an all around movement, (3) Can it be performed properly by the majority of the members?
Bill Clark motioned to change By-Laws Articles 2-17.
Discussion followed, hearing opinions both for and against motion.
Motion did not carry; no changes to By-Laws Articles 2-17 made.
A motion was made to change Article 7 , Section A: “Members of the Executive Board are elected every two years, on odd numbered years, at the Annual Meeting by vote of the membership present.” Suggested change “President, Treasurer and one At Large member are elected on even number years; Vice President, Secretary, and the other at large member are elected on odd number years.”
Discussion followed.
Motion carries unanimously.
A motion was made to change Article 7, Section I: “ Elected positions take effect immediately”; suggested change to “Elected positions take effect at the beginning of the second month following the Annual Meeting.”
Discussion followed.
Motion carries.
A motion was made to to add a general provision to Article 22 “Other General Provisions”: “Any change, amendment or addition to the USAWA bylaws must be submitted to the membership at least four weeks prior to the annual meeting, in a manner approved by the Executive Board (IE posted on the official website)”
Discussion followed.
Motion carries unanimously.
A motion was made to delete Rule VI Equipment 27: A certified scale is required for weigh-ins in competitions of events where records are set. It may weigh in either pounds of kiligrams. A scale certificate must be present with the scale and must not be older than 1 year.”
Discussion followed.
Motion carries.
Review of current Executive Board and Special Assignment Directors
Website Director: vacant
Drug Enforcement Director: vacant
Social Media Director: vacant
Dave Deforest nominated for Drug Enforcement Director by Tony Lupo; no objections to nomination. Dave Deforest to serve as Drug Enforcement Director.
2027 USAWA Nationals: bid made by David Glasgow, Larry Traub and Chad Ullom; location TBD in Kansas.
Meeting adjourned: 7:20pm
Minutes amended to add Drew Traub to roll call
