Mary Emmons Named CEO of USA Archery

Mary Emmons has been named CEO of USA Archery after serving in the role on an interim basis since June.

Emmons has been a fixture at the national governing body for more than a decade. She first joined USA Archery as Outreach Director in 2012, where she designed an educational strategy for instructors and judges and drove membership growth and program expansion. Starting in 2016, Emmons spent six years as Chief of Sport Performance and Organizational Development, leading long-range strategic initiatives. For the past four years she was the Chief of Sport Performance and Operations, planning new revenue streams and landing grants and corporate sponsorships.

 “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, which voted to elect Emmons to the role. “There is no one better prepared to lead this organization toward LA28 and beyond.”

Said Emmons, “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 has a bacherlor’s degree from Indiana State and a master’s from Michigan State.

Like all NGBs, USA Archery is hoping to capitalize on the opportunity presented by having the next Olympic Summer Games in the United States. The budding excitement is leading to a rise in athletes targeting a spot on Team USA for the LA28 Games, including those chasing a spot in the new discipline of compound archery, in which competitors use a mechanically advanced bow.

“We have a jam packed event series next year, and we’re also working to grow the sport at all levels, both with the Olympic archery and the schools program,” said Emmons, referring to a program in middle schools and high schools around the country. “We’re casting a really wide net to get people excited about the sport, but also to grow our fan base. It’s going to be a home Games. We want everyone behind Team USA Archery, and to give everybody that dream.”