2025 Slated Candidates
The United States Bowling Congress Nominating Committee, which is required to slate a minimum of three candidates and may slate up to six for the three open positions on the board, has slated four candidates for election to the USBC Board of Directors at the 2025 USBC Convention and Annual Meeting.
Cindy Akin
Placerville, California
Akin has been a USBC member for the last 17 years and notes that her passion for the sport has led her to assist with the oversight and development of ideas and programs, problem solving and fund raising for her local bowling association (Sierra Gold USBC) since 2015, and to joining the board for her state association (California State USBC) two years ago. With her husband, she runs approximately 20 small tournaments annually in different centers in Northern California and Nevada. Akin also has served on various education boards including her local school board (president for four years). She also was elected to serve as a Delegate Assembly Member representing four counties to the California School Boards Association where she served on numerous committees. That experience led her to a staff position with that same organization as a Senior Policy Consultant Manager from 2006-2014.
Why are you qualified to serve on the USBC Board of Directors?: My background is service-oriented, primarily in the field of education. I have strong organizational and team-building skills, experience running my own business, and strong financial skills, which have laid the foundation toward my ability to assist with overseeing and development of ideas and programs and occasional problem solving. My attitude drives me to be a proactive, positive, and collaborative team member.
I feel my skills and experience will add value to the USBC.
Zachary Boulanger
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Boulanger has been a USBC member for 28 years and has served as Association Manager for the Green Bay Area USBC since 2017 and as a director with the Wisconsin State USBC since 2018 where he is the chair of the Awards and Promotion Committee. Among other things, his duties as local association manager include ensuring compliance with national and state policies and planning and executing approximately 10 tournaments annually. He is currently Chief of Staff/Director of Operations for WOW Marketing/Bowling Business Builders International. Boulanger notes that he has been serving in some capacity on his local board since he was a junior in high school. His current roles have allowed him to work with stakeholders from across the bowling industry, and he is committed to using his marketing and communications skills to serve the interests of the sport and to help grow youth participation.
Why are you qualified to serve on the USBC Board of Directors?: I am qualified to serve on the USBC Board of Directors because of my experience at both the local and state levels of association leadership, as well as my professional background in bowling industry marketing. I have a proven ability to collaborate with stakeholders across the sport to increase participation and engagement. My passion, industry expertise, and dedication to the future of bowling make me well-equipped to contribute effectively to USBC’s mission.
Chrissie Kent
Newark, New York
Kent has been a USBC member for 30 years and is completing her first term on the board after joining the International Bowling Campus Youth Committee during the 2016-2017 season. She took over as the chair for the IBC Youth Committee in July 2020 and has served as a director on the BPAA and Lake Ontario USBC Boards. She and husband, USBC and PBA Hall of Famer Doug Kent, have owned Doug Kent’s Rose Bowl Lanes since 1999, where she helps manage the day-to-day operations and has built the youth program as its director. Outside of bowling, Kent has served on the Newark Rotary Board and as President of the Newark Chamber of Commerce Board.
Why are you qualified to serve on the USBC Board of Directors?: I believe my years of experience in many areas of the bowling industry including youth league bowler, collegiate bowler, adult bowler, proprietor, youth league coordinator, local USBC Board member, IBC Youth committee(chair) & current member of the USBC Board of Directors qualifies me to serve on the Board of Directors.
Nathan Shock
Brighton, Colorado
Shock has been a USBC member for the last 25 years and has served with Greater Denver USBC since 2013 where he is currently president. Shock also is a teacher in the Adams 12 Five Star School District in Thorton, Colorado, and has previous experience as a shift manager at Coal Creek Bowling Center in Lafayette, Colorado (2022-2024). His experience with the Greater Denver USBC has allowed him to work with a variety of vendors to create successful events through the creation and implementation of successful marketing campaigns. Shock has been supporting and representing bowlers in his local community for the past 20 years in multiple capacities including serving on the transition committee during the merger, being a delegate on the state and national level, running workshops, events and tournaments, and creating a summer outreach bowling program with the local police department.
Why are you qualified to serve on the USBC Board of Directors?: Between the time serving others as a public-school teacher and being a part of the Greater Denver USBC for 20 years, I have taken on several different roles to better the community. I strive to continue learning and build great partnerships with all who are involved and being an advocate for them. The sport of bowling has always been there for me, and I look forward to having the sport of bowling be there for current and future generations.