COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – After a national search, the Board of Directors voted to elect Mary Emmons as Chief Executive Officer of USA Archery, putting a proven builder at the helm at a moment of unprecedented growth and unparalleled opportunity, with the Olympic and Paralympic Games coming home to Los Angeles in 2028.
"Mary has been at the center of nearly every major step forward USA Archery has taken in the last decade," said Erin Niehaus, Chair of the USA Archery Board of Directors. “There is no one better prepared to lead this organization toward LA28 and beyond."
Emmons, who served as Interim CEO from June through September 2026, brings two decades of experience in the sport to the role. Before joining USA Archery, she served as the first National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) manager in Michigan, where she grew the program to 550 schools statewide. She joined USA Archery as Outreach Director in 2012, where, alongside driving membership growth and program expansion, she designed the educational strategy that fueled a significant increase in certified instructors, coaches and judges.
From 2016 to 2022, as Chief of Sport Performance and Organizational Development, she led long-range strategic initiatives including High Performance and Para High Performance. Since 2022, as Chief of Sport Performance and Operations, she has driven organizational growth, elevated USA Archery's visibility across the sport, mapped out new revenue streams, and landed major grants and corporate sponsorships.
"I'm honored by the board's confidence and energized by what's ahead," said Emmons. "Archery has never had more momentum in this country. With the Games coming to Los Angeles, we have a historic opportunity to bring more people into this sport, support our athletes on the world stage, and build something that lasts long after 2028.
"LA28 is a milestone, but our mission is bigger than any single Games. USA Archery exists for every member, whether they shoot target, field, or 3D; whether they're picking up a bow for the first time or chasing a spot on the national team; and whether they serve as a coach, judge, instructor, or volunteer. I've spent my career working alongside these members, and I'll lead by listening to them, investing in our clubs and communities, and making sure every archer in this country sees a place for themselves in this organization."
Emmons's influence extends well beyond USA Archery. She serves on the boards of directors of Scholastic 3D Archery and the Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports, as well as the World Archery Americas' Finance and Audit Committee and its Governance Advisory Commission. She also contributes to two USOPC National Governing Body working groups: Growing Members and Fans, and Technology and Communications.
Emmons holds a master's degree from Michigan State University and a bachelor's degree from Indiana State University.
USA Archery is the national governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of archery in the United States. USA Archery provides the necessary resources to foster strong athlete participation, competition and training in the sport of archery. Membership in USA Archery is open to everyone involved in all disciplines of archery, including target, field and 3D. USA sanctions more than 350 events annually including indoor, outdoor, 3D and collegiate National Championships, the United States Archery Team Qualifier Series and U.S. Team Trials events. USA Archery provides youth and adult archery programs through clubs nationwide, and certifies archery instructors, coaches and judges.
