The quartet join the 10 current members and "represent a wide breadth and depth of experience and expertise which will help guide the strategic growth of USRowing", according to a statement.

Marcia Hooper has been appointed female vice-chair.

Hooper, who has served as co-chair of the National Rowing Foundation since 2012, will serve until March 2019.

Charlie Haight has been elected as a director at large and will serve on the board until March 2018.

Haight is a former competitive rower for the New Haven Rowing Club in Oxford in Connecticut.

He also had a long and successful career in college and university fundraising and alumni affairs, working for a variety of institutions, including Yale University.

Steve Shure has been elected as the Northwest representative until March 2020 and Joe Flynn as the Southeast representative.

Flynn, who will serve until March 2018, has coached at Orange Coast College in California.

His coaching campaigns included the Western Sprints, the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships, the Henley Royal Regatta and the Dublin Regatta.

"We were incredibly impressed by the interest, enthusiasm, and qualifications of the entire group of applicants," Kris Thorsness, the Board’s Nominating Committee chairman, said.

"Given the number of highly qualified applicants, this was by far the most difficult decision the nominating committee has made."

The next Board meeting is due to take place in Princeton in New Jersey on March 18 and 19.

"We’re honoured to welcome such a distinguished group of new Board members, and look forward to working together to deliver on our vision and long-term growth strategy," said USRowing Board of Directors interim President Meghan O’Leary.

"On behalf of the entire Board, I would like to thank all who expressed interest in joining and encourage you to stay involved with USRowing with your local club and the national organisation and to put your impressive qualifications and skills to work for the betterment of our sport."