Columbus, OH – In total, there are nine candidates running for six seats in four districts on the U.S. Trotting Board of Directors. However, in one of the districts, the candidate is unopposed.
Ballots are being mailed in early November, with completed ballots required to be postmarked no later than Dec. 8, 2026. Election results are expected to be announced in early January.
Meet the Candidates
In District 1 (Ohio), four candidates are competing for three membership director seats. Incumbents Roy Burns, Steve McCoy and Dr. John Mossbarger are seeking re-election, with challenger Kris Brechler also on the ballot. District 1 members will vote for three candidates, with the three receiving the most votes elected.
To learn more about the District 1 candidates, click here.
In District 6, incumbent Dein Spriggs and challenger Sam Herrington are running for the at-large seat, which encompasses Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. District 6 members will vote for one candidate.
To learn more about the District 6 candidates, click here.
In District 7, incumbent and USTA President Russell Williams is seeking re-election against challenger Ron Burke for one membership director seat. District 7 members will vote for one candidate.
To learn more about the District 7 candidates, click here.
In District 5, Lane Avenatti is running unopposed for the seat currently held by Casey Leonard, who is not seeking re-election.
In contested elections, USTA members elect their district’s membership directors using the official ballot and envelopes provided by the Association. Members must mark their selections, seal the ballot in the unmarked inner envelope, place it in the official return envelope, and sign the upper-left corner of the front of the return envelope.
Ballots must be mailed to the USTA’s certified public accounting firm, Plante Moran in Columbus, OH, and postmarked by the announced election deadline, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2026. The accounting firm counts the ballots and certifies the results; uncontested candidates are automatically elected at their district’s annual meeting.