Over the past several years, USPSA has experienced remarkable growth. As of this writing, our membership has surpassed 44,650 members nationwide. Just five years ago, we were at approximately 34,000 members. That kind of record-level growth is something to be proud of. It reflects the strength of our clubs, the dedication of our volunteers and the passion of our members.
But growth also brings responsibility.
As organizations expand, they must evolve. Systems that worked well at one stage do not always scale effectively to the next. To continue delivering a high-quality experience for our members and clubs, we must be willing to adapt, improve and, at times, make changes that position us for long-term success.
Change is not always easy. It can create uncertainty, and it often challenges us to rethink how we operate. However, when approached thoughtfully, change is not something to avoid; it is something to embrace as a necessary step in strengthening the organization we all care about.
STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATION
One of the most important steps we took recently was to adopt updated USPSA bylaws. These updates were designed to strengthen our governance structure, clarify roles and responsibilities, and better align the organization with the scale at which we now operate.
As part of these changes, the Board transitioned my role from Managing Director to Executive Director. This is more than a title change. It represents a clear and intentional step to better define the separation between governance and operations within USPSA.
The Board of Directors is responsible for setting the vision, providing oversight, and ensuring long-term strategic direction. The professional staff, led by the Executive Director, is responsible for executing that vision and delivering on the organization’s goals and objectives.
This clarity allows each group to focus on what it does best. It strengthens accountability, improves decision-making and positions USPSA to operate more effectively as a growing national organization.
As we continue to expand, this alignment between governance and operations will be essential to maintaining consistency, supporting our members and clubs, and building for the future.
INVESTING IN LEADERSHIP AND STAFF STRUCTURE
As part of this evolution, we are also making thoughtful adjustments to our staff structure to better support our growth.
I am proud to share the promotion of Rick Brotzel to Chief Technology Officer. Rick has served USPSA for more than 13 years, most recently as our Director of Information Technology. His leadership has been instrumental in modernizing our systems, improving member-facing tools and strengthening our internal infrastructure.
In his new role, Rick will continue to lead our technology efforts, with an increased focus on scalability, reliability and innovation. As our membership grows and our operational needs expand, technology will play an even greater role in how we serve our members and support our clubs.
We will continue evaluating our organizational structure to ensure that our team is aligned with the demands of a growing national organization.
AN EVOLVING APPROACH TO USPSA NATIONALS
Our National Championships are a cornerstone of USPSA, and as participation continues to increase, we must ensure that our approach to these events evolves as well.
We are taking a more structured and strategic approach to Nationals through the continued use of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process. This process allows clubs and ranges across the country to express interest in hosting or partnering with USPSA to deliver National-level events.
To support this effort, we have established the Nationals Selection Committee. This committee will review proposals, evaluate capabilities and help identify host sites that align with USPSA’s standards for safety, operational excellence and competitor experience.
This approach is designed to create greater consistency, expand opportunities and ensure that our Nationals continue to reflect the quality and professionalism expected at the highest level of our sport.
SUPPORTING USPSA CLUBS AND MEMBERS AT SCALE
As we grow, our commitment to supporting clubs and members remains at the center of everything we do.
Initiatives such as Club Resource Hub and the upcoming Club Referral Program are designed to provide practical tools, incentives and support that help clubs thrive locally while contributing to the broader growth of the sport.
At the same time, we continue to invest in improving the member experience—whether through streamlined processes, better communication or enhanced access to information and tools.
Growth is not just about numbers. It is about ensuring that every member, from a first-time competitor to a long-time participant, feels supported, valued and connected to the USPSA community.
LOOKING AHEAD
The momentum we have built is real, and the opportunities ahead of us are significant. But continued success will depend on our ability to evolve with intention.
We will continue to evaluate our processes, strengthen our systems and make decisions that support long-term sustainability. That includes being willing to make adjustments when needed, always with the goal of improving the experience for our members and ensuring the health of the organization.
None of this happens without the people who make USPSA what it is.
To our members, volunteers, club leaders, staff and Board, I thank you. Your commitment, passion and dedication are what drive this organization forward every day.
It is an honor to serve as your Executive Director, and I am excited about what we will continue to build together.
Article from the May/June 2026 issue of USPSA’s magazine.
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