Choi, Harris Elected Chair and Vice Chair of Board of Directors, McCullough Elected Elite Athlete Director

COLORADO SPRINGS - USA Weightlifting is excited to announce the election of Michael Choi and Tayler Harris as chair and vice chair of the USAW Board of Directors,  respectively. The pair was elected by their peers on the board and will take over for Jenny Schumacher and Shameeka Quallo. Both Choi and Harris’ terms run January 2025-December 2026. Additionally, Morgan McCullough was elected by elite athlete members to serve as an elite athlete director on the board alongside Meredith Alwine. His position runs 2025-2028

Twelve representatives sit on the USAW Board of Directors. Board members serve staggered terms, with elections taking place every two years. The current board roster is posted here.

A longtime member of the weightlifting community, who was also recently appointed to the role of General Secretary for the United Masters Weightlifting Federation, Choi becomes the board’s chair after serving as an at-large director from 2021-24 and being re-elected for a 2025-28 term.

“Being elected chair of the USA Weightlifting Board of Directors is an incredible honor and responsibility,” Choi said. “I’m deeply grateful for the trust my fellow board members have placed in me, and I look forward to serving our athletes, coaches, volunteers, and the entire weightlifting community.”

Choi succeeds Jenny Schumacher in his role. Schumacher served as a board member for eight years and as the board chair for 18 months, reaching the maximum term permitted at the end of 2024. Schumacher also served in two previous stints as vice chair from 2019-20, and 2021-22. Throughout her time on the board, Schumacher was a staple at USAW national events and mentored dozens of technical officials as they advanced through local and international qualifications.

“On behalf of USA Weightlifting and the weightlifting community, we thank Jenny for her friendship and tireless support,” said Matt Sicchio, President and CEO of USA Weightlifting. “We are forever grateful for her unwavering commitment and service to the mission of USA Weightlifting while serving in so many roles and logging so many hours supporting our community at national and international events.”

Tayler Harris has been part of the Board of Directors as a national team athlete director since 2023. She was elected to the board shortly after taking gold at the 2022 IWF Masters World Championships. At that competition, Harris broke the women’s 35 71 kg masters total world record by 10 kilograms with her 203 kg total. Harris also represented the U.S. and took silver at the 2018 International Qatar Cup and 2019 British International Open. Harris will be the first athlete representative to be elected into a leadership position on the board since 2010.

“Thanks to the trust of my fellow directors, I am privileged to become the first athlete representative to serve in board leadership in the last fifteen years,” Harris said. “I have always been guided by a desire to do what is right for our current and future membership. I am excited to serve our organization and help this board perform at its highest potential.”

Morgan McCullough was elected as an elite athlete director. McCullough has represented the United States 10 times in international competition. He most recently placed fifth at 102 kg at the 2023 IWF Junior World Championships after lifting 156/197/353. His best total came in a sixth-place finish at the 2023 Pan American Games where he went 5-for-6 and lifted 158/196/354. The 22-year-old is based out of Knoxville, Tennessee, and regularly trains alongside two-time Olympian Wes Kitts.