Kevin Rosenstein was named U.S. Figure Skating's 34th president on Saturday at the organization's annual Governing Council meeting in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Rosenstein has been judging internationally for the past 29 years, including at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, World and World Junior Championships and at the Grand Prix Final He also serves as a technical controller and referee domestically.
 
He is serving on the U.S. Figure Skating Board of Directors and has been involved in committee work in the past.

U.S. Figure Skating sat down with Rosenstein for an introductory Q&A.

SKATING: What are your feelings after officially being named U.S. Figure Skating's 34th president?

Rosenstein: I'm honored to take this on. Just to be considered for it is huge. I'm excited about the opportunity to give back to the organization, which is why I decided to do it in the first place. And so it's been just spending time thinking about what that's going to shape up to be and how I make the most of the opportunity.

SKATING: Have you received any words of wisdom or advice from past presidents or others in leadership positions?

Rosenstein: Yes. I've reached out. [Past presidents] Sam [Auxier] has been great. I've talked to Anne [Cammett] and Pat [St. Peter] to get their advice. They all had different kinds of advice, but I think first and foremost, they said, take it slow and make sure to build into the position. Don't try to do too much, too quickly, to make sure you are keeping all the constituencies in mind. So athletes, clubs — everyone that we work with. To be thoughtful about priorities, and I feel fortunate because we have the strategic plan to reflect on and to use that as a guide to what we are doing next, and to maintain a strong relationship with headquarters staff.

SKATING: How would you describe the state of U.S. Figure Skating as you begin your four-year term as president?

Rosenstein: I'm coming in at an incredibly fortunate time. A big goal of mine is to make sure we maintain the momentum that we've been on. Having [CEO] Matt [Farrell] as part of the organization is huge; it's just a great opportunity for partnership. What the staff has done to rally around and support him …  Coming off the Olympics and the Olympic success that we had couldn't be better. The star impact of the talent we have currently …. finances are in good shape. It feels like a real opportune time to take over.

SKATING: What is U.S. Figure Skating's most pressing issue or need?
Rosenstein: I think it's getting back in touch with the grassroots. It's making sure we've got the right coaching talent to take advantage of the large groups of people who are coming in. The Alysa [Liu] Ilia [Malinin] Blade Angels effect is bringing so many people into the sport and making sure we are doing right by them in terms of having the best coaches who are bringing people through. … maintaining their pathways and seeing an opportunity for everyone to participate in skating that's right for them.

SKATING: What should be U.S. Figure Skating's role in getting synchronized skating into the 2034 Olympic Games?
Rosenstein: We are in a fortunate position to have leadership in the synchronized community, involved in Synchro 9, which is going to be the way in. So helping to set the goals, set what the process is going to be, the judging, kind of all aspects of that and being as supportive as we can as an organization — both for Synchro 9 but also maintaining the strength of our current synchro programs. There's another thing that I think is critical. Looking forward to 2034 in Salt Lake City and using as many of the assets that are in place there.

SKATING: With our recent Olympic success, do you anticipate a significant spike in the upcoming Learn to Skate USA membership season. And if so, is surpassing 200,000 LTS members for the first time realistic?

Rosenstein: I think it's totally realistic. I had the good fortune of getting to judge the women's event at the Olympics, so I was there for the Alysa effect and it's not just her, it was really the entire team. But the way that that team pulled together and showed what sport can do and what camaraderie and friendship and community can do, I think just opened up a huge door of people wanting to come in and to be a part of this sport. I feel positive that we are going to achieve that goal. It's going to take a little time; I don't think the effect is going to be immediate. I think it's going to stretch out a little bit; we heard that at our board meeting yesterday. But I have no doubt …

SKATING: What was it like to judge the women's event and team event at the 2026 Olympics?

Rosenstein: It was phenomenal. I'm so grateful to have had that opportunity. I'm so fortunate to have been drawn for both of those events and to be a part of it. I got to go to the opening ceremony and Kirsty Coventry, who is the IOC president, gave a speech about the meaning and importance of the Olympics. She talked about as competitive as you can be, and when you are done, being comrades and being community, and showing joy and support for each other. And things played out that way. Both of those events demonstrated that Olympic spirit in the most incredible way.

SKATING: What is the highlight of your competitive singles and pairs career in the junior ranks?

Rosenstein: Two things. My sister and I skated at one national championship in San Diego in 1981. And we both passed our gold pair test, and just being a gold medalist in pairs.  

SKATING: Talk about your family, pets and your job.
Rosenstein: I have a husband, Jason Stermer. Two dogs. I work for a global architecture and design firm; I do strategy and management consulting for them. Been there 22 years. It's been a fantastic opportunity. They are incredibly supportive of skating. They were cheering me on at the Olympics. They had things hung up at the office.

SKATING: What do you enjoy outside your job and skating?

Rosenstein: My husband is a big track fan. We go to various track meets. We are going to the Prefontaine Classic in July for his birthday. Then just our own sports. We live in LA so it's great to be outside all the time. I'm also an avid fiction reader.
  
Editor's note: Check out the Summer 2026 issue of SKATING magazine to learn more about Kevin Rosenstein and his plans for the future.