2026 AAPA Board of Directors

General Election Candidates

Platform statements & candidate survey responses

AAPA is holding its annual election for the Board of Directors and Student Academy Directors

May 18th, 2026 - June 1st, 2026

Candidates for elected AAPA offices regularly solicit the support of constituent organizations including the LBGT PA Caucus. The Caucus board has chosen not to endorse any specific candidates; instead, our efforts are focused on getting out an informed vote among the supporters of the Caucus' mission.

A survey has been developed to assist our members in familiarizing themselves with the AAPA Board of Director candidates and is sent to each candidate. The unedited response is made available below, along with a link to platform materials, and whether they are a Caucus member and/or donor.

This page will be updated as additional responses are received.

**Mobile device users: Rotate screen for full page view**

ELECTION TIMELINE

May 18th: Meet the AAPA Board of Directors Candidates at AAPA 2026, 10:45am CT - 12:00pm CT

May 18th: Voting opens for AAPA Board of Directors & Student Academy BOD

June 1st: Voting closes at 5:00PM ET

June 2nd: Election results announced

For details on Board of Directors, House of Delegates & Student Academy candidates and elections info, click below:

AAPA Election Info

Use the link sent to your email on May 18th by YesElections to cast your vote.

AAPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATES

Candidate for PRESIDENT-ELECT

Select one candidate (three-year track)


Leslie Clayton DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA Plymouth, Minnesota Endorsed by the Nominating Committee.	Kris Pyles-Sweet DMSc, PA-C West Palm Beach, Florida Endorsed by the Nominating Committee.
Response Attached Here	Response Attached Here
Link to Candidate Information	Link to Candidate Information
Leslie is a Caucus member, not a donor	Kris is a Caucus member, not a donor.

CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY/TREASURER

Select two candidates (two-year term)

Brendan Lucas

DMSc, PA-C

Gallatin, TN

Endorsed by the Nominating Committee.

Response: Pending

Link to Candidate Information

Brandan is not a Caucus member, not a donor.

CANDIDATES FOR DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE

Select two candidates (two-year term)


Alisa Gifford DMS, PA-C, DFAAPA Beaverton, OR Endorsed by the Nominating Committee	Paola Gonzalez MPAS, PA-C Houston, Texas Endorsed by the Nominating Committee
Response Attached Here	Response Attached Here
Link to Candidate Information	Link to Candidate Information
Alisa is a Caucus member, not a donor.	Paola is a Caucus member, not a donor.


Vic Holmes PA-C, EdD Plano, Texas Endorsed by the Nominating Committee	Phoebe Kubo MPAS, PA-C New York, New York Self-Declaring
Response Attached Here	Response Attached Here
Link to Candidate Information	Link to Candidate Information
Vic is a Caucus member, is a major donor.	Phoebe is a Caucus member, not a donor.

House of Delegates Officer

Peggy Walsh Sheryka

MS, PA-C, DFAAPA

Contennial, Colorado

AAPA Vice President/Speaker of the House

Response: Pending

Link to Candidate Information

Peggy is a Caucus member, not a donor.


Rachel Weinzimmer DMSc, PA-C, CAQ-EM, CPAAPA, DFAAPA Grand Junction, Colorado	Jeremy L Nelson DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA Iowa City, Iowa
Director/First Vice Speaker of the House	Director/Second Vice Speaker of the House
Response: Pending	Response: Pending
Link to Candidate Information	Link to Candidate Information
Rachel is a Caucus member, not a donor.	Jeremy is a Caucus member, is a major donor.

Nomination Committee


Rebecca Cronin MA, MSM, PA-C Kalamazoo, MI	Melinda Moore Gottschalk DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA Columbia, MO
Response: Pending	Response: Pending
Link to Candidate Information	Link to Candidate Information
Rebecca is a Caucus member, is not a donor.	Melinda is not a Caucus member or donor.