Get to Know the 4 Candidates for the PDGA Global Board of Directors

(This article was originally published June 1, 2026)

The PDGA Global Board of Directors Nominating Committee completed a comprehensive assessment of self-nominated candidates for the 2026 PDGA Elections, which included detailed reviews of cover letters, resumes, referral letters, background checks, and for the most qualified candidates, video interviews.

More information about the Nominating Committee can be found here.

The process culminated in four candidates appearing on the ballot for the upcoming PDGA Global Board of Directors elections. These four candidates will be vying for two open positions on the board.

The PDGA Global Board of Directors is required for nonprofit status and mandated by the PDGA bylaws. In addition to semi-annual summit meetings, the board conducts monthly teleconferences with staff to accomplish its varied goals, such as setting PDGA policies; hiring and supervising of the executive director, who is responsible for headquarters, staff and ongoing operations; financial managements, including an annual budget; identification of responsible future board members; and representing the membership's visions for the future of the sport and the association.

Two at-large board member positions will be elected this year during a month-long election from July 1-31, 2026.

The two candidates who receive the most votes will serve three-year terms from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2029. For additional information, please see the PDGA Elections page.

Here are the four candidates who have stepped up and are ready to help take the sport of disc golf to the next level, along with their background information and statements of intent.

Stay tuned to PDGA.com and the PDGA on social media throughout the month of June as we get to know these candidates even more.

2026 Global Board Candidates

• Conrad Damon #2450
• Rob Bullen #25817
• Ben Shinn #50445
• Ken Loukinen #127996

Conrad Damon #2450

Introduction

I have been playing disc golf for decades and currently compete in the MP60 division. My love of the sport has inspired me to fill numerous volunteer roles, including Rules Committee chair, code contributor, and two prior stints on the Board. I have a lot of ideas about how to grow the sport and would love the opportunity to put them into action.

Background/Professional Experience

After earning a BA in English at Stanford I veered into tech, and my career has been as a software engineer, including management roles. In July I will retire from my position as a Staff Software Engineer at SentinelOne, an AI-driven cybersecurity company.

Goals as a PDGA BOD Member

• Be a voice of reason in any discussion that includes me and hold positions informed by evidence and cogent reasoning for the betterment of the organization and the sport.
• Continue to encourage the development of technology to improve the player and member experience.
• Specifically, to renew our focus on grass-roots growth by investing heavily in clubs and by expanding our reach to casual golfers and new audiences.

Summary

The best thing we can do now is to return our focus to bottom-up growth. There are two primary avenues to growing the sport:

1. Clubs Clubs Clubs

• Clubs are the master key that unlocks everything. They are a great way to delegate work to people who are excited to do it. The recent clubs initiative has made a lot of progress laying the foundation, but there is much more we can do. Clubs should become a focal point for the sport, and that should be reflected throughout, starting with the website.

2. Expand our reach to:

• Casual golfers: There is currently no compelling reason to join the PDGA if you don't play PDGA tournaments. We should offer a low-cost membership to casual golfers to bring them into the fold.
• Youth and underrepresented demographics: Offer local clubs the tools they need to help them introduce disc golf at youth centers, YMCAs, retirement communities, etc.
• International play: Partner with existing organizations and continue to offer help to get disc golf off the ground in new locations.

My experience, temperament, vision, keen analytical mind, and love of the sport place me in a great position to help lead its ongoing development.

 

 

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