AAU Strength Sports has selected a new Chairman and multiple new sport specific leaders to guide the strength sports powerlifting, weightlifting, feats of strength, bodybuilding, MAS wrestling and kettlebell into the future.

Retired Navy Rear Admiral Hal Pittman, a long-time Strength Sports board member, became Chairman in March 2025. Pittman has served on the Strength Sports executive committee since 2012, and is an international judge, meet director and masters powerlifting competitor and coach.

The new AAU Strength Sports Executive Committee members are:

•             Powerlifting Chair: Bull Stewart

•             Powerlifting Vice Chair/Referee Development: Tony Rodriguez

•             Weightlifting Chair/Records/Special Assistant to the Chairman:  Bryan Bowens

•             Feats of Strength Co-Chairs: Anita Vargo & Lisa Prior

•             Strongman/Strongwoman Chair: Mikel Meadows

•             Bodybuilding Chair: Rodney Gaines

•             Mas Wrestling Chair: Odd Haugen

•             Sport Kettlebell Chair: Rhonda Glick

•             Youth Development Chair: Lynne Castellanos

•             Referee Testing Chair: Gordon Santee

•             Executive Secretary: Ernestina Soto

Strength Sports will conduct weightlifting and powerlifting referee training at two upcoming international meets in 2025 – during the North American Weightlifting and Powerlifting Championships in Laughlin, NV on June 14-15, and during the 2025 AAU Strength Sports World Championships weekend September 25-28 in Laughlin. There will also be at least one virtual certification meeting conducted in 2025.

Additionally, AAU Strength Sports is seeking new meet directors to expand the number of annual strength sports events. Members interested in qualifying as a state-level strength sports judge, or hosting an AAU-sanctioned meet should contact Hal Pittman at hal.pittman@yahoo.com to learn more.