2026 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 five candidates for election to the USBC Board of Directors at the 2026 USBC Convention and Annual Meeting.

Cindy Akin
Placerville, California

Akin, who has been a USBC member for the last 18 years, notes that her passion for the sport has led her to assist with the oversight and development of ideas and programs, problem-solving and fundraising for her local bowling association (Sierra Gold USBC) since 2015 and to joining the board for her state association (California State USBC) four years ago and recently becoming vice president. She is a member of the USBC Legislative Committee (Ex-Officio Guest). Akin earned the degree of Bachelor of Science in Commerce from Santa Clara University and a Master of Public Administration from USC. She runs dozens of tournaments per season through a private organization and on behalf of her local and state associations. Akin also has served on various educational boards, including acting as president of her local school board. 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 from 2006-2014 retiring as Senior Policy Consultant Manager.

Why are you qualified to serve on the USBC Board of Directors?: Listening to others is a strength. Add an ability to process multiple thoughts and meld them into ideas and you have a superpower. My background is service-oriented, primarily in the field of education. With strong listening, organizational and team-building skills I feel my life experiences and positive attitude have laid a strong foundation toward becoming a valuable voice on the USBC Board of Directors.

Glenda Beckett
Palmetto Bay, Florida

Beckett has been a USBC member for 24 years and has served on the USBC Board of Directors since the 2020-2021 season. She is seeking a third term on the USBC Board. Beckett currently serves on the Awards and Recognition (chairperson), USBC Hall of Fame, Legal and Ethics (chairperson), Legislative (chairperson), Finance (Ex-Officio Guest) and Executive Director and Board Evaluation Committees. Beckett is the Greater Miami USBC Association Manager, a position she has held since 2012, and has served the association in various roles, including first vice president and tournament manager, since 2001. She was on the Florida State USBC board from 2018 to 2025 serving as the Legislative Committee chair and a member of the Charity, Budget/Audit, Nominating and Policies and Procedures Committees. The Florida State USBC WBA honored her with the 2017 Pilar Cohalla Award for outstanding service, and she was inducted into the Greater Miami USBC Hall of Fame for meritorious service in 2014. She received the Greater Miami WBA Outstanding Service Award in 2006 and was awarded Most Powerful Female Marketing Executive by the Dan Marino Charity Golf Tournament in 1999. Beckett retired from AT&T/Lucent Technologies in 2001 having worked as executive assistant to the president for the Caribbean and Latin America region.


Why are you qualified to serve on the USBC Board of Directors?: During my six years on the board, the USBC committees I have been on, time spent on state & local boards and service as Association Manager, have all contributed to my qualifications to serve on the USBC Board. With this background, I bring ideas and opinions that will protect and enhance member benefits. I am always ready to examine new ideas and to challenge things that don’t seem to add value to the sport. 

Daniel Martin
Wendell, North Carolina

Martin has been a USBC member for 49 years and has committed more than 39 years to being part of the management and governance of the sport of bowling at the local and state levels. Martin, who graduated from the University of Akron with a degree in graphic design, has been both a coach and active member in his local and state associations. He served as an assistant coach for the Stow-Munroe Falls (Ohio) High School team from 2017-2019 and was an assistant bowling coach for Walsh University (Ohio) from 2020-2025, helping to guide the women’s team to consecutive Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) championships. On the association side, Martin served as Secretary-Treasurer/Association Manager for the then Ohio State USBC Bowling Association (2006-2018) where he also served as Tournament Manager for the annual Ohio State BA Championship Tournament. From 2018-2022, Martin was the Association Manager for the newly merged Ohio State USBC where he oversaw all finances and was the tournament manager for the State Open Tournament. Overall, Martin was responsible for overseeing 17 different bowling tournaments for the association and attended the USBC National Convention as a voting delegate for the association.


Why are you qualified to serve on the USBC Board of Directors?: My leadership experience in local and state associations, combined with years of coaching high school and collegiate bowlers, gives me a strong understanding of the sport from multiple perspectives. I’ve collaborated closely with athletes and local association leaders, and I prioritize integrity and preparation in every decision. I’m committed to thorough governance that supports all bowlers and will bring a dedicated, diligent, and positive approach to making decisions concerning the future of our sport.

Michael Stevens
Old Bridge, New Jersey

Stevens has been a USBC member for 33 years and started bowling at the age of 4. He competed in youth leagues growing up in New Jersey and then bowled collegiately at Stevens Tech (New Jersey) where he was named team captain. In college, he was President of the Stevens Chapter of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and currently works as a resident engineer. He has served in a number of roles for his local Monmouth County (New Jersey) USBC, including director, vice president and his current role as president. Stevens also has been a tournament manager for a number of years for a handful of tournaments in the New Jersey area and currently serves as a league president as well. During his time on the local USBC board, Stevens notes that “we have made many positive changes to the tournaments that we run and the way bowlers are recognized.” Stevens espouses his core values of providing great customer service, understanding the rules of bowling, running quality tournaments, maintaining a history of bowler achievements and properly managing financials while continuing to be a good steward of the sport. 

Why are you qualified to serve on the USBC Board of Directors?: A lifetime of competitive bowling has allowed me to see the good, the bad and the absolutely amazing sides of bowling.  My jobs as an engineer and local board president have taught me to listen, evaluate situations, make hard decisions and give clear directives to subordinates and superiors, alike.  These experiences have prepared me to lead the board to find new ways to showcase the past every time we make a change for the future.