New Jersey
Winner by Acclamation (Ran unopposed)
Serving in the past as Secretary, Treasurer and President has given great in sight into the focus and dedication required to advance amateur boxing in NJ.
I bring a strong commitment to enhancing the organization's programs and initiatives. My vision (and efforts to date) have:
1. Promoted inclusivity and diversity within the sport by creating opportunities for boxers, coaches and officials of all backgrounds to participate and excel.
2. Strengthened the grassroots development programs to identify and support athletes and non-athlete members. Hosted 2 Bronze training clinics and one Silver clinics, supported stipend program to support elevation of athlete and non athlete members.
3. Collaborating with clubs, coaches, and officials to ensure the highest standards of safety, fairness, and integrity in all competitions.
4. Advocating for increased funding and sponsorship opportunities to support growth and sustainability
5. Enhancing communication and transparency within the organization to foster a stronger sense of community and engagement among members.
I firmly believe that my experience, leadership skills, and dedication to the sport make me a strong candidate for the position of President. I have committed to working tirelessly to advance the sport and represent the interests of all members in a fair and ethical manner.
I am currently an AIBA and Silver level and advanced to level 3 as an official. Having the knowledge has allowed me to partner with the Coaches Chair and Chief of Official to develop and deliver education through clinics and workshops to advance our members.
Winner by Acclamation (Ran unopposed)
I've been coaching with USA Boxing for over 13 years. I've also become an official during that time. I served on the NJ BOD for 4 years as secretary. I served the last 4 year as Vice President on the NJ BOD. I believe I've shown leadership qualities during my time with USA Boxing and have served the BOD as to the best of my abilities for the last 8 years.
Winner by Acclamation (Ran unopposed)
Yessenia Montalvo is the Owner of Legacy Boxing Club and a retired police detective from the Newark police department. She worked in Patrol, Narcotics, Cell Block, Communications, the Office of Homeland Security, and the Detective Squad. In addition, she worked as a Community Service Coordinator with Project C.O.P.E. at Montclair State University.
I am interested in serving as Chief of Officials (COO) on my LBC Board of Directors to further advance our current fellowship of officials and help it grow. I am proud to have served with, officiated with, and learned from these exceptional people since I first joined USA Boxing in 2019. Being on the Board would be my way of giving back to them. Showing them I heard them. I value them. I love them. If elected/appointed, I will serve to the best of my abilities to represent them and to give them a voice at the highest level of our LBC. To aid in the training, cultivation, development, and progression of their respective paths in the sport of Boxing.
In addition, I realize and recognize that my voice and my actions will impact the LBC as a whole - All members, volunteers/supporters, and audiences included. It is my fervent wish to have everyone that wants to participate, spectate, engage, and succeed in USA Boxing be granted and afforded the chances to do so.
Reflecting on my own journey in Boxing, I took to the sport from the tender age of four (4). Over the years, I learned about some of the immortalized greats and legends of the sport. They impressed upon me the reality that Boxing is eternal. The names may change, the venues may become bigger and more lavish, but Boxing stays and holds true to as Ernest Hemmingway described as "the most honest conversation two men (people) can have". Seeing where Boxing is going today, I'm open to its growth and progression wherever that may lead. However, I believe we must do so in a way that does not compromise or invalidate the ethos of Boxing while expelling the corruption and politics that detract from the skills and techniques displayed within the ring.
Outside of Boxing, I work as a Revenue Cycle Specialist, specializing in Fraud Detection and Intervention. In that capacity, the integrity and accuracy of my work can literally be the difference between life and death. Potentially being elected/appointed, I believe the Board would need a firm, competent member that will govern with empathy and grace. Subjectively speaking, I believe I would be that person. In each position I have held in and out of Boxing, I bring unparalleled, uncompromising commitment with unwavering resolve executing those duties with courage, strength, and conviction.
During my time in USA Boxing over the past four (4) years, I've grown more attuned to the Sweet Science beyond that of an observer and practitioner. Within this time, I have served as a Timekeeper, Judge, Referee, Supervisor, and Official in Charge. I realize regardless of what capacity I may serve, I hold a solemn duty to speak truth to what has been displayed before me. Once upon a time, I only understood and cared about the "how". But, now, with this great fellowship I've been warmly accepted by, I've come to understand not only the "how", but also the "why". Why the scoring criteria is what it is, Why the Age and Weight Divisions are split the way they are. How and Why everything is intricately connected one to another. It's a strong fortified link that allows USA Boxing to be a leading voice in Amateur Olympic Style Boxing. Finding the beauty in that is what makes me care so greatly about the further advancement and cultivation of USA Boxing and its mission.
I realize that applying for this role is a considerable undertaking, not to be taken lightly. It's not for ones seeking glory, fame, and prestige. But rather, it's one that requires sacrifice and dedication to a cause and mission greater than one's self. Not only would I impact the lives and trajectories of those directly under my guidance, but to those I interact with and officiate over. I realize even without being elected, I serve as an Ambassador for USA Boxing to all of their participants. If elected/appointed, I vow to serve faithfully and diligently until I no longer can.
I have been an Official with the NJLBC since 2002. I've also assisted Metro NY since 2004. I have served NJLBC as their Interim Secretary, and in 2007 stopped the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board frm interfering and trying to overtake the LBC operations. I have been Tournament Director of many NJ State Championships, past NJ Golden Glove events, and NJ Diamond Gloves competitions.
In 2009, I lead a delagation of NJ/NY boxers to compete against the Puerto Rican National Boxing Team at an event in San Juan. In 2010, I helped organize 36 female Cadets at US Military Academy West Point, NY to form their first Women's Boxing Team. Boxing became so popular the Army PhysEd Dept made it manadatory for all incoming Freshmen Cadets, Men and Women, to participate in classes during their first year at USMA.
I have been to a number of USA Boxing Regional Championships, Eastern Olympic Trials, and National Championships; most recently Golcen Gloves in Tulsa'21. The New York State Athletic Commission granted me a license as a Professional Referee in 2021. I continue to participate and support NJ USA Boxing shows, and have mentored Officials at the request of current COO Akbar Muhammad.