John Strass has applied for a position on the Board of Directors of the United States Fencing Association for the two-year term beginning September 2011. He has extensive experience in both business and fencing that would help improve the organization. Strass believes the USFA needs to be run more like a business by focusing on its customers - fencers, parents, coaches and others. He wants to use his skills to help analyze financial data and rectify problems that left the USFA in a "workout mode" with more debts than assets.

1. APPLICATION
TO
SERVE
AS
AN
AT-­‐LARGE
MEMBER
ON
THE
BOARD
OF
DIRECTORS
OF
THE
UNITED
STATES
FENCING
ASSOCIATION
FOR
THE
TWO
YEAR
TERM
COMMENCING
SEPTEMBER
1,
2011
J O H N J. S T R A S S C PA

2. WHY I WANT TO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
§ The Board of Directors is vested with the full powers and
responsibility for the management and policies of the USFA.
(Article VII - Bylaws United States Fencing Association, Effective August 28, 2010)
§ A successful Board of Directors includes members with varying
backgrounds.
§ I wish to offer my business and fencing experience to help improve
the organization for the benefit of the United States Fencing
Association, its members and the sport.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 2

3. MY COLLEGE EDUCATION.
University of Notre Dame
§ Graduated in 1978 with a Bachelors of Business Administration
Degree in Accounting.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 3

4. MY
WORK
EXPERIENCE.
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING PRIVATE INDUSTRY
§ Six years with Ernst & § Twenty-fours years in private
Whinney. industry.
§ Tax Manager. § Chief Financial Officer of
§ Provided tax, accounting and privately held businesses
litigation support services. having annual revenues up to
§ CPA licensed to practice in the $200 million.
State of Texas since 1981. § Manager of Accounting for a
§ New York CPA license issued in publicly traded company with
June 2010. over $1 billion annual
revenues.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 4

5. MY FENCING EXPERIENCE.
HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE ADULT
Notre Dame High School, Niles IL • Resumed fencing in 2002 at the
San Antonio Sports Foundation.
§ Competed in foil for NDHS.
• Daughter s first coach. She is
§ Competed in foil and epee at local now a freshman epee fencer on
competitions; and, epee at the Columbia University team.
national tournaments. • Monituer in foil and epee
University of Notre Dame awarded by the USFCA.
§ Four year starter in epee with a • Paul Pesthy s assistant coach at
15th Touch Fencing Club in
record of 111-42. San Antonio TX.
§ Team took 1st in NCAA s junior • Recreational fencer at Fencer s
and senior years; and, 3rd Club of New York.
freshman and sophomore years. • May participate in Vet events.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 5

6. MY INVOLVEMENT WITH THE USFA.
AUDIT COMMITTEE MEMBER DISCIPLINARY PANEL MEMBER
§ Member of USFA Audit Committee § Served on Frank Van Dyke
from 2008-2010. Disciplinary Panel.
§ Analyzed financial data for the § Analyzed financial data with
years 2004-2008. regards to alleged financial
§ Reconstructed and reconciled irregularities in the Pacific Coast
balance sheet accounts. Section.
§ Prepared draft report of findings § Prepared draft report of
for Ed Wright, Audit Committee findings for Alex Wood,
Chairman. Disciplinary Panel Chairman.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 6

7. THE USFA NEEDS TO BE RUN LIKE A BUSINESS.
§ Every organization, whether it is for-profit or not-for-profit, needs to
be run like a business in order to serve its customers.
§ The failure of USFA management to abide by this tenet was the root
cause of the organization s distressed financial condition.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 7

8. THE USFA IS IN A WORKOUT MODE.
§ Per the graph at left, the net asset
balance has historically hovered
around -0-. The USFA spends
money as fast as it is received.
§ A breakdown in management left
the USFA with more debts than
assets.
§ This led to changes in the
management team and board of
directors.
§ The USFA has been in a workout
mode since 2008 to rectify the
Source:
United
States
Olympic
CommiOee
Audit
Report
dated
July
28,
2008
problem.
8

9. THE USFA NEEDS TO BE CUSTOMER FOCUSED.
§ A successful business knows its customers.
§ Products and services are tailored to meet the customers needs.
§ The business model is reviewed periodically to make sure it is
relevant.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 9

10. WHO ARE THE USFA’S CUSTOMERS?
§ Fencers
§ Parents
§ Coaches
§ Fencing Clubs
§ USFA Divisions and Sections
§ College Teams and Clubs
§ National Collegiate Athletic Association
§ Officials, Armourers and Volunteers
§ Fencing Equipment Dealers and Manufacturers
§ United States Olympic Committee
§ Federation Internationale d Escrime
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 10

11. WHO ARE THE FENCER-CUSTOMERS?
• When do they start fencing?
• What weapon(s) do they fence?
• Where do they go to school?
• What is their level of participation?
§ Recreational.
§ Local tournaments.
§ National tournaments .
§ College.
§ International tournaments.
§ US National Teams.
• When do they stop fencing?
• Can we get them back into the sport?
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 11

12. THE USFA NEEDS FENCER DEMOGRAPHICS.
§ The USFA should develop detailed multi-year demographics data on
its membership.
§ This data is crucial for developing a business plan for the USFA.
§ How many years of data are available?
§ What is the quality of the data?
§ Members have not been treated as individual customers in the
QuickBooks accounting system. This makes it harder to use the data.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 12

13. WHAT CAN THE USFA DO FOR FENCING PARENTS?
§ Parents pay a lot to support their child s participation in fencing.
§ What services can and should the USFA provide to make fencing a
better experience for the parents?
§ Where to find a place to fence.
§ Fencing instruction.
§ Make it easier to buy fencing uniforms and equipment.
§ Fencing safety.
§ Negotiate better travel deals.
§ How many parents are fencers themselves?
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 13

14. WHERE CAN I FENCE?
§ The USFA website lists clubs by state and division.
§ Additional information could make the page more useful.
§ How many active USFA members are in a club?
§ What are the coaches names and credentials?
§ Does the club specialize in one weapon?
§ How many fencing strips does it have?
§ What are the demographics by weapon for the division and
section? How many potential people are there to fence with
nearby?
§ Hyperlink to club website.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 14

15. CAN WE MAKE IT EASIER TO BUY FENCING EQUIPMENT?
§ Have different size/age male and female fencers try on uniforms
from the various manufacturers and vendors.
§ Publish a table that cross-references uniform sizes by manufacturer
for the different body types (sex, height, dimensions).
§ This would reduce a barrier to entering the sport.
§ Help the fencers, their parents and equipment dealers fill orders
the first time; and, reduce equipment returns.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 15

16. IS THERE A BETTER WAY TO ADDRESS SAFETY?
§ Concerns about safety can be a barrier for parents and new fencers.
§ An eye injury is the easiest way to kill a fencing program. I know. An
eye injury at my high school helped kill high school fencing in Illinois.
§ The USFA rulebook has uniform requirements. These requirements
should be met as a condition of insurance coverage for clubs.
§ At USFA tournaments, require that masks be held in front of the
face when testing bell guards (epée) and lamés (foil). Award a
yellow card for failure to follow safety protocols.
§ Establish the minimum safe distance between strips for clubs to
prevent injuries.
§ Require that full uniforms be worn in fencing clubs as a condition
of insurance. For example, epee fencers need to wear socks.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 16

17. WHY DO WE HAVE TWO FENCING COACH ORGANIZATIONS?
§ Is it in the best interest of US Fencing to have two separate coaching
organizations?
§ United States Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA).
§ USFA Coaches College.
§ Would fencing coaches be in a better position to have a positive
influence on the sport if they worked from inside the USFA instead of
as a separate organization?
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 17

18. CAN THE USFA USE THE INTERNET BETTER?
§ Fencers register for local tournaments on askfred.net; and, for
national tournaments on the usfencing.org website. Would it be more
efficient and cost effective to consolidate registrations on one site?
§ The USFA would need to maintain databases for rankings and
points.
§ Many businesses respond to blog postings to address customer service
issues. Is this something the USFA should consider doing as well?
§ Can the USFA stream national events over the internet?
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 18

19. CAN WE PRODUCE INTERNET BASED INSTRUCTION VIDEOS?
§ Make it easier to start fencing programs in underserved parts of the
country (and world) by offering online instruction videos.
§ What happens in a bout…how things work.
§ Footwork.
§ Fencing lessons.
§ Tactics.
§ Armourer skills.
§ How to run a tournament.
§ Referee lessons…multiple choice…you make the call.
§ Can we enlist film schools and studios to produce videos?
§ Can we charge a user fee? This could be a source of revenue from
fencers in other countries.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 19

20. ARE THE SECTION AND DIVISION STRUCTURES FAIR?
§ The USFA is organized into sections and divisions.
§ Do the sections and divisions fairly represent the membership
population? Congress redraws districts every ten years. When is
the last time the USFA equalized sections?
§ Is it easier or harder for competitors from a given division or
section to qualify for national tournaments due to the present
borders?
§ What is the minimum number of clubs and fencers to form a
division?
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 20

21. HOW CAN THE USFA HELP COLLEGE FENCING?
§ The USFA has a College Fencing Committee; but, the USFA as an
organization has not actively thrown its support behind college fencing.
§ It would be interesting to analyze the demographics to determine how many
members stop fencing after high school…and if they ever return.
§ The USFA should work with individual schools, conferences and the NCAA to
grow the number and quality of varsity teams and clubs.
§ Why can’t the NCAA award separate NCAA Championship trophies for the
Men’s and Women’s programs?
§ Can the USFA enlist the aid of college presidents and athletic directors to
expand college fencing opportunities?
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 21

22. HOW CAN THE USFA ENLIST THE AID OF ITS MEMBERS?
• The USFA should use the voice of its 23,000 members to frame issues
and influence outcomes affecting the sport of fencing.
• The USFA should employ coordinated letter-writing campaigns from
its 23,000 members. A physical letter is more powerful than an e-
mail.
• To obtain sponsor support.
• To get better pricing from hotel chains, airlines and car rental
companies. Eliminate baggage fees for fencing bags.
• Lobby for/against FIE rule changes as appropriate.
• The affect of Title IX on men’s college fencing programs.
• Separate Men’s and Woman’s NCAA Championship trophies.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 22

23. ARTICLE II – PURPOSES OF THE USFA
1. To serve as the National Governing Body for the sport of fencing in the United States, and
in that capacity to fulfill the lawful obligations imposed on national governing bodies and
to enjoy the privileges and prerogatives accorded national governing bodies by United
States Law, the USOC and the FIE.
2. To provide local, regional and national competitive opportunities for fencers of all levels of
ability under uniform rules and regulations and to strive for improvement in all aspects of
organizing and conducting fencing competition.
3. To select, support and prepare individuals and teams to represent the United States in
international fencing competitions.
4. To develop, support and promote fencing referees in domestic and international
competition.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 23

24. ARTICLE II – PURPOSES OF THE USFA (CONT)
5. To promote the sport of fencing in the United States and around the world and to
disseminate information about fencing so that people may be exposed to and enjoy its
many physical, mental and social benefits.
6. To provide support in the form of information and programs to fencing instructors and to
organizations and groups that offer fencing opportunities.
7. To make available information and opportunities that will allow fencing practitioners to
enhance their skills and to increase the enjoyment and benefit they derive from the sport.
8. To provide assistance and support to other organizations that promote fencing or conduct
fencing competitions in a manner consistent with the purposes, goals and means of the
9. To foster good will and harmonious relationships with fencers and fencing organizations in
foreign countries for the betterment of the sport of fencing.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 24

25. THE USFA S NINE (9) PURPOSES CAN BE
ASSIGNED TO TWO BROAD CATEGORIES
DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL
• Domestic purposes include all § International purposes include a
23,000+ USFA members and subset of USFA members and
other USFA customers. customers.
• Fencers § Elite fencers who are vying for
§ Parents national teams.
§ Clubs § Individual and national squad
§ Colleges coaches.
§ Coaches § Internationally qualified
§ Equipment vendors referees.
§ Support personnel.
§ U.S.O.C. and F.I.E.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 25

26. HOW SHOULD THE USFA SPEND MEMBER FUNDS?
§ I believe the USFA’s primary responsibility is to its 23,000+ members.
§ Should support for elite programs be limited to funds received from
sources such as:
§ The US Olympic Committee.
§ Elite program sponsors and supporters.
§ Designated member contributions.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 26

27. SHOULD WE ELIMINATE THE LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM?
§ A business cannot offer a product or program it cannot run.
§ A lifetime membership program can only work under the following
circumstances:
§ The proceeds are saved to match future obligations.
§ The return on investment is great enough to meet future
obligations.
§ In the USFA’s case, the proceeds from lifetime memberships were
spent as soon (or before) they were received.
§ The USFA cannot generate a complete list of lifetime members.
§ I propose that this program be eliminated; and, that existing lifetime
memberships be amortized at a 5% rate of return (average CD rate).
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 27

28. WHY CAN’T THE USFA FIND SPONSORS?
§ If the US Speed Skating
Team can raise $250k
from the Colbert Nation
in two weeks then why
can’t the USFA find
corporate supporters and
sponsors?
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 28

29. HOW CAN THE USFA THRIVE WITHOUT A MARKETING PLAN?
§ The USFA needs to actively promote the sport of fencing at all levels
of participation. This plan should:
§ Inform the public about the sport of fencing.
§ Boost college team and college club participation.
§ Develop a host of materials for individual clubs to use to increase
local participation.
§ Develop a cadre of volunteers to support events.
§ When is the last time a fencer was on a Wheaties box?
§ Everyone loves a winner…capitalize on the moment of victory to raise
funds from corporate sponsors and individuals to support the program.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 29

30. SHOULD WE CHANGE THE ROTATING TOURNAMENT MODEL?
One of my daughter’s teacher told me: “Traveling around the country to
tournaments is very glamorous. You see a lot of cities.”. I replied: “We
usually see an airport, a hotel and a convention center”.
§ Would the USFA be better served with a permanent venue for
holding national tournaments, training camps, coaches clinics and
national office?
§ It’s hard to employ technology when we move from place to place.
§ It costs at least $10k-$15k to move equipment from venue to venue.
§ Can the USFA rent a suitable facility; or, receive a contribution for
use of a facility?
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 30

31. CAN GYPSIES SELL NAMING RIGHTS?
§ The USFA could approach sponsors to sell naming rights for a
permanent facility. That would be hard to do with the current
tournament roadshow.
§ Considerations for a permanent facility location should include:
§ A central geographic location…possibly along the Dallas-
Memphis corridor. Study fencer demographics.
§ Located in a major air traffic hub with a numerous direct flights.
§ Having reasonable and plentiful hotel rooms and restaurants for
weekend stays near the facility.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 31

32. ARE FENCERS GETTING “BANG FOR THEIR BUCK”?
§ Traveling to national tournaments is expensive.
§ Under the current tournament format, are we giving the customer-
fencers enough fencing “bang for their buck?
§ Should the USFA consider alternative tournament formats such as
multiple rounds of pools to DE bouts starting in the Round of 64.
§ More frequent single-weapon tournaments that can be completed
over a Saturday-Sunday to replace four-day NAC’s.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 32

33. CAN THE USFA EXPAND SUPPORT FOR INJURED ATHLETES?
§ It’s fantastic that the USFA offers wheelchair fencing. But what about
injuries that do not require a wheelchair?
§ Fencing is an asymmetrical sport.
§ There have been improvements in prosthetic arms and legs.
§ Fencing could be beneficial to an individual for:
§ Rehabilitation.
§ Fine motor skills development.
§ Giving injured athletes a lifetime sport.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 33

34. SHOULD WE WORK WITH THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT?
§ The Wounded Warrior
Project’s mission is to
honor and empower
wounded warriors.
§ If these warrior-athletes
can navigate an obstacle
course, then shouldn’t we
try to get them on a
fencing strip?
www.woundedwarriorproject.org
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 34

35. THE USFA NEEDS A STRATEGIC PLAN.
§ The USFA needs a long-range strategic plan that outlines
the goals and direction of the organization.
§ Plans, budgets, fundraising efforts, facilities et al should
conform with the strategic plan.
§ The plan should be published.
§ USFA members and sponsors will be more inclined to
support the organization if they know where it is going.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 35

36. THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING MY APPLICATION.
§ I am running for an at-large seat John J. Strass CPA
on the Board of Directors for the 250 West 103rd Street
betterment of the sport, not
Apartment 10D
personal prestige or betterment.
New York NY 10025
§ This application was prepared in
jjstrass@gmail.com
this format to raise questions about
the direction of our sport.
§ I am offering my creativity and
experience to help Fencing thrive in
the 21st century.
JOHN J STRASS CPA, APPLICANT FOR AT-LARGE DIRECTOR 36