2023 USA PICKLEBALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
From the Chairman
T
by ROBERT QUICKSILVER
USA PICKLEBALL BOARD CHAIRMAN
The countdown to pickleball ’ s top event of the year , the 2023 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships , has already begun ! As we approach November 5-12 , our team at USA Pickleball is busy working with our fantastic partners , the PPA Tour and Invited , to present an unparalleled player and fan experience .
As you know , the National Championships will be held this year in Dallas at the Brookhaven Country Club , whose pickleball facilities are undergoing millions of dollars in capital improvements in advance of the tournament . We anticipate more than 4,000 players participating , which would make this year ’ s National Championships the largest pickleball tournament ever .
While you may have heard some of the recent buzz about Nationals , I do want to highlight a few of the biggest developments and why this is the sport ’ s must-attend pickleball tournament .
This year ’ s Nationals will be all about making the attendee experience — for players and spectators alike — truly exceptional . As pickleball continues to reach new heights as a sport , so too will its National Championships . I ’ m excited for our members to enjoy the highest level of amateur pickleball , as well as spend time with friends and family in a remarkable city that is truly excited to host this year ’ s tournament .
Qualified players worked hard to punch their ticket to Nationals . As such , they should have the most memorable experience playing against the best of the best , while vying for a National Championship title . Working with PPA and Invited , we are also reimagining what it looks like to be a pickleball fan at a tournament that brings together all the top pros — including Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters — from across our sport .
The street running directly through Brookhaven Country Club will be closed for the tournament and transformed into “ Pickleball Boulevard ,” which will serve as the heart of the party . Pickleball Boulevard will include live music featuring top artists , a fireworks show , interactive activities and even a special world record attempt for the longest pickleball match . There will also be a variety of exciting sponsor booths to explore familyfriendly fun , delicious Texas cuisine , multiple beer gardens , and lounges and seating areas from which to relax and watch all the action . Suffice to say , you won ’ t want to go home after the last match wraps up each day on Championship Court , as we plan to keep the energy going through the evening .
This is certain to not only be our biggest , but also our best USA Pickleball National Championships yet . You can find all the event details , including how to get tickets and register to play ( if you ’ ve qualified ), at usapickleball . org / nationals .
I look forward to seeing you in Dallas !
BOARD CHAIRMAN Robert Quicksilver
BOARD VICE CHAIR Suzanne Guerin
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS
Philip Bullen Mark Fabbro Bob Franceschelli Ernie Medina Stephanie Russell
USA PICKLEBALL STAFF
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Mike Nealy
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Justin Maloof
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Dan Ellsworth
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Chuck Menke
CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER Jose Moreno
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
Hope Tolley
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
Nikki Greene
INTERIM MANAGING DIRECTOR OF OFFICIATING
George McCulley
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF EQUIPMENT STANDARDS & FACILITY DEVELOPMENT
Carl Schmits
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS & PRO PLAYER RELATIONS
Donn Paben
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FIELD OPERATIONS
Lance Cowart
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS
Brady Kellogg
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LEGAL COMPLIANCE AND OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
Gail Avisar
DIRECTOR OF SANCTIONING Karen Parrish
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND CONTENT
Melissa Zhang
DIRECTOR OF TOURNAMENT OPERATIONS
Baylee Opperman
DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS Ben Hudson
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