2019 USAPA
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
Jack Thomas
VICE PRESIDENT
CJ Jermstad
SECRETARY
Laura Patterson
TREASURER
Darryl Noble
AT-LARGE BOARD
MEMBERS
BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS &
MARKETING
Stacie Townsend
CUSTOMER & MEMBER
RELATIONSHIPS
Katie Lawler
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
David Jordan
LEGAL & GRIEVANCE
Phil Mortenson
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS
Robert Quicksilver
RECREATIONAL PLAY
Philip Bullen
TRAINING
Pat Murphy
STAFF
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Justin Maloof
DIRECTOR OF RECREATIONAL
PROGRAMS
Hope Tolley
BUSINESS MANAGER
Linda Gartlan
FROM THE
PRESIDENT
F
or those of us who have
the affliction known as
“pickleballitis,” the arrival
of spring couldn’t be more
welcome news. Historic weather
battering all corners of the country
has caused some issues for players,
including delays and cancellation of
tournaments as well as recreational
play.
Some of us were able to escape the
cold by attending the Fourth Annual
Ambassador Retreat in Port St.
Lucie, FL, at Club Med Sandpiper
Bay. With a theme of “Have Fun and
Learn,” the entire excursion was
exactly that—a fun and educational
experience and, as they say, “a
great time was had by all.”
As always, our retreat planners
did an exceptional job by providing
plenty of on-court activities,
excellent sponsor presentations
and learning opportunities not only
for the Ambassadors and their
guests, but for the USAPA board
and staff members in attendance.
Topics in our breakout sessions
included Strategic Planning,
Membership and MemberLeap,
the USAPA Junior Program and
Educational Initiatives, Nutrition
and Pain Management, USAPA
Rating System, USAPA and PPR
(Professional Pickleball Registry),
Legal and Insurance issues, and
great stories about the history of
pickleball.
USAPA PRESIDENT JACK THOMAS
In between sessions, we enjoyed
court time and demos from all
of the outstanding sponsors of
the event. When not involved
in scheduled activities, the
more adventurous of us had the
opportunity to learn trapeze and
there were all kinds of watersports
available. And, last but not least,
there was an informal contest
to try to eat just one piece of
chocolate bread (you’d understand
the level of discipline needed if you
had been there!).
We also included some all-
important charitable giving during
the retreat. Two trips donated by
Club Med were raffled off, raising
$5,425 for St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital, the USAPA’s
designated charity.
The Retreat Committee that
worked so hard to make this
experience a huge success
definitely deserves a big Thank-
You from everyone who attended.
And the attending Ambassadors
and their guests should be
thanked as well for all of the
amazing contributions they made
during the retreat.
Stay safe and HAVE FUN!
Jack
MARCH/APRIL
MARCH/APRIL 2019
2019 | |
MAGAZINE
MAGAZINE
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