From the CEO
A by MIKE NEALY
USA PICKLEBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
As we continue to grow the game we all love , I appreciate the opportunity to update you , our pickleball community , on our major initiatives for 2024 at USA Pickleball . With so many new foundations being established and exciting enhancements on the horizon , we are proud to be at the helm of America ’ s fastest-growing sport .
The Path to Nationals
One of our priorities this year was to streamline the path to the Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships . We approached this by reimagining our Golden Ticket Tournaments through a new format and enhancing our player experience at events across the nation .
As we wrap up our 2024 qualifying events , this year has been a success thanks to our hardworking team , referees , volunteers , venues , board members and the incredible partnerships with APP and UTR Sports . We are grateful to all who took to the courts for a shot at a medal and support the sport as we continue to refine our Path to Nationals into 2025 and beyond .
2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships Enhancements
Our team is currently hard at work preparing for the 2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships taking place on November 9-17 at Arizona Athletic Grounds .
Based on feedback from our pickleball community , we reimagined our marquee event , Nationals . Player experience remains our top priority as we provide competitors at all levels of play — youth to pros — the opportunity to compete and win at the best national championship event yet for our pickleball community .
We look forward to welcoming our Golden Ticket winners along with their friends and families to Arizona this November for an unforgettable weeklong tournament experience .
Membership 2.0 : Champions Ball Better
We ’ ve unveiled an upgraded USA Pickleball membership experience with all-new benefits to provide more value to our nearly 80,000-strong member base . Designed on months of data and research about what pickleball players like you want and need , all current active members will automatically receive the benefits of the new Champion level membership .
Flip to page 56 to read more about our Membership 2.0 model or visit usapickleball . org / memberships and explore all the new benefits and services .
Thank you for your support and we look forward to taking this game into overtime with you .
10 TO SUBSCRIBE , CALL 412.914.8294 OR GO TO PICKLEBALLMAGAZINE . COM
2024 USA PICKLEBALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD CHAIRMAN Robert Quicksilver
BOARD VICE CHAIR Suzanne Guerin
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS
Philip Bullen Mark Fabbro Andrew Feffer Bob Franceschelli
Ernie Medina Stephanie Russell Tori Stevens
USA PICKLEBALL STAFF
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Mike Nealy
CHIEF COMPETITION OFFICER Justin Maloof
CHIEF MARKETING & STRATEGY OFFICER Jose Moreno
CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER Carl Schmits
VICE PRESIDENT OF COMPETITION Steve Wong
VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & SERVICE
Chris Zukas
VICE PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL EVENTS Luke Underwood
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
Meredith Painter
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS Christian Portaro
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
Hope Tolley
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP Nikki Greene
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FIELD OPERATIONS
Lance Cowart
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LEGAL COMPLIANCE AND OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
Gail Avisar
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Julie Atherton
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF OFFICIATING Tom Tadler
DIRECTOR OF EVENT LOGISTICS Baylee Opperman
DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS & STRATEGIC PROJECTS
Ashley VanOchten
DIRECTOR OF EVENT OPERATIONS Izzy Jade
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS Brenda Puga
DIRECTOR OF TOURNAMENT OPERATIONS
Craig Haas
DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIP ACTIVATION
Nick Salute
DIRECTOR OF SANCTIONING AND COMPETITION
Emily Nelson
CONTROLLER Rose James