2021 USA PICKLEBALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By Phil Mortenson
USA PICKLEBALL CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
BOARD CHAIR Phil Mortenson
BOARD VICE CHAIR Laura Patterson
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS
Philip Bullen Bob Franceschelli Suzanne Guerin Ernie Medina Robert Quicksilver
USA PICKLEBALL STAFF
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Stu Upson
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Justin Maloof
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER George Bauernfeind
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Dan Ellsworth
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF COMPETITION
Karen Parrish
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
Hope Tolley
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
Nikki Greene
DIRECTOR OF OFFICIATING Mark Peifer
DIRECTOR OF AMBASSADORS Steve Stone
DIRECTOR OF EQUIPMENT STANDARDS
Carl Schmits
DIRECTOR OF EQUIPMENT COMPLIANCE
Donn Paben
HEAD OF PARTNERSHIPS John Greene
DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS Laura Gainor
MANAGER OF SOCIAL MEDIA Kevin Brown
RESUMPTION PRESUMPTION
While recreational play and tournaments are still struggling to
reopen throughout the country , our USA Pickleball board , staff and ambassadors are keeping busy . On the recreational flank of the sport , we have launched an official club membership program and a youth program membership with expanded resources , new website pages , and equipment discounts . We support the programs with instructional videos , an online workshop , a promotional video , and a Welcome Back to Pickleball motivational video on how to deliver a fun and engaging event .
Product manufacturers have increased development and production of paddles and balls . In the past year 88 new manufacturers entered the market for a total of over 200 vendors that now have accounts with USA Pickleball . Our testing lab approved 133 paddles and 32 balls . We continue to certify new referees , approve community and high school grants , and sanction tournaments where permitted .
Other signs are pointing toward resumption of the sport with increased participation and interest from our recreational and competitive players . Our ambassador corps throughout the country has expanded to about 2,000 members . Last year saw an increase of 851 venues , or 3,861 new courts , in our Places2Play website inventory .
Our website users and social media views continue to grow significantly . In December 2020 alone , we had 82,408 total visitors and 223,433 page views . The same month we saw a reach of more than 50,000 people across Facebook and Instagram .
The conclusion we gather from these favorable figures is that although the sport may now be somewhat dormant on the courts , it is alive and well in the thoughts and anticipation of our USA Pickleball board , our members , our vendors , and the millions of pickleball players ready to resume regular play .
We continue to focus on supporting our loyal members and meeting their needs while doing our best to provide the important infrastructure this growing sport requires . We will not change this organization ’ s determination to be one of the best-managed sports organizations in the country — one that responds to its members ’ needs and provides exceptional service to its members .
We end with a couple of pickleball limericks :
My new serve takes off like a jet , And none have returned it as yet . Though my angle selection Is aimed to perfection , It never goes over the net .
My pickleball teacher , a saint Gave advice that was cloaked in restraint : “ You ’ ll win a close call
If you target your ball Toward the place where the other side ain ’ t .” •
MARCH / APRIL 2021 | MAGAZINE 9