2018 USAPA
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
Jack Thomas
VICE PRESIDENT/
AMBASSADORS
C J Jermstad
SECRETARY
Laura Patterson
TREASURER
Darryl Noble
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
David Jordan
BOARD MEMBERS
(COMMITTEES)
COMMUNICATIONS
Bob Nibarger
GRANTS
Ray Pereyra
TRAINING
Pat Murphy
LEGAL COUNSEL,
GRIEVANCE
Phil Mortenson
STAFF
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Justin Maloof
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF
ATHLETIC COMPETITION
Christine Barksdale
BUSINESS MANAGER
Linda Gartlan
FROM THE
PRESIDENT
HAPPY 2018! I hope your holiday
season was filled with joy and that
you had a safe and happy New Year’s
celebration.
I am humbled and honored to serve as
President of your organization. Without
you, the USAPA would not exist.
There are many things I’d like to talk
about—and we’ll definitely get to those
in future issues of Pickleball Magazine.
However, developing a much larger,
active, involved, appreciated and
supportive membership around the
country will be the basis for every
board initiative as well as staff
implementation of those initiatives.
Also, in my previous positions
with USAPA—player, Ambassador,
Ambassador Director and Vice
President—my efforts to grow the game
have been based on making sure the
principles of honesty, fun, exercise
and other benefits are understood and
followed so the game grows in the
correct way. That will not change.
This year is going to be a gangbuster
year! We’ll see the implementation
of the long-awaited USAPA Ratings
Program, much more growth in the
Referee Certification and Training
Program, 11 outstanding USAPA
Regional Tournaments and a great
Nationals 2018. We’ll also have a ton
of fun, starting with the 3rd USAPA
Ambassador Retreat at the Club Med
Sandpiper Bay in Port St. Lucie, FL,
USAPA PRESIDENT JACK THOMAS //
January 28 through February 1.
Finally, I want to pay tribute to former
President David Jordan, First Lady
Nancy, as well as Chris Thomas and
Mark Friedenberg. While David will
remain on the board in an advisory
role per the bylaws, Chris and Mark
retired from the board in December.
The sport of pickleball and the USAPA
are forever indebted to you for your
tireless dedication and numerous
contributions to our great game.
Your President,
Jack
P.S. The communication lines from the
board and to the board are now open.
We need to know the good, the bad and
the ugly!
>>> Snapshot of Our New President
Jack Thomas, USAPA board member since 2014, began his position as president of
USAPA in January. He and his wife, Joan, are originally from Oklahoma City, OK, and
moved to Scottsdale, AZ, in 1996. Jack and Joan have two daughters, two sons-in-law
and four grandchildren.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 |
MAGAZINE
7