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USRowing’s board of directors has named Joel Shinofield to be its next CEO.
Shinofield moves to USRowing from USA Swimming, where he was managing director of sport development and led the largest division of swimming’s national governing body, overseeing $24 million in revenue and serving 370,000 members.
USRowing has about 70,000 members and reported $19.6 million in revenue for 2024.
Shinofield “will define and execute USRowing’s strategic vision, lead all aspects of the organization’s operations, and ensure alignment across performance, membership, and business objectives,” USRowing announced.
“I am honored to join USRowing at such a pivotal moment for this sport,” Shinofield said. “The rowing world is passionate and deeply invested in this sport’s success. I look forward to quickly becoming a member of the community, meeting our stakeholders at upcoming events, and working together to build on the strong momentum already in place.”
Shinofield is not an oarsman—yet— but his wife rowed in college and continues to compete in masters rowing. In an October email letter to USRowing members, Shinofield, a swimmer, said he met his wife when they coached their respective sports at the University of Minnesota and that he’s “in the midst” of a learn-to-row program.
According to someone involved in the search but not authorized to speak about it, hiring a non-rower was a board requirement. USRowing board members did not respond to questions.
“We will be committed to excellence,” wrote Shinofield, “excellence in service, excellence in communication—both how we listen and share—and excellence in the experience and support we provide.”
Shinofield was hired after a six-month search that began when former CEO Amanda Kraus resigned. Kraus quit the position in March after a transcript of a discussion by USRowing board members about plans to fire her was sent to her mistakenly. In the wake of the debacle, USRowing board chair Kirsten Feldman and vice chair Andy Merrill resigned.
USRowing hired the search firm Elevate to help select its next CEO. The 12-page prospectus circulated by Elevate included such job descriptions as “serve as the primary external ambassador, enhancing the organization’s reputation and influence” and “define and deliver a clear member value proposition.” Among the desired personal characteristics: self-aware, resilient, humble and team-oriented, “a low ego leader who elevates others and celebrates team success.”
Under Kraus, who was hired in 2019, USRowing achieved record annual revenues of nearly $20 million through increased fees and donations, including a $6.5-million donation pledged in 2025 by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.
USRowing Foundation members have said that the full $6.5 million has not been received, and in the wake of Kraus’s quitting, it’s not expected. Nevertheless, support will continue for the expansion of the Caspersen Boat House.
Kraus’s 2024 total compensation, according to tax filings, was $326,515.
Shinofield is the fifth of the five highest-paid 2024 employees of USA Swimming to leave the national governing body since the underwhelming results—for both swimming and rowing—of the Paris Olympics. As with USRowing, USA Swimming’s membership growth and sponsor revenue have been less than its board wants. USA Swimming expects to lose $3.6 million in 2026, according to the NGB.
CEO Tim Hinchey’s compensation was $1,051,489 in 2024 before he resigned. Former chief commercial officer Shana Ferguson ($477,650); national team managing director Lindsay Mintenko ($432,699); and former CFO Eric Skufca ($401,204) also left USA Swimming. Joel Shinofield’s total USA Swimming compensation was $398,263 in 2024, according to tax filings.
“We are confident he will build on our current momentum,” said Robert Zagunis, who is both chair of USRowing’s board of directors and a USRowing Foundation trustee, “and lead USRowing to new heights as we head toward LA28 and beyond.”
