2025 USA PICKLEBALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
From the Chairman by ROBERT QUICKSILVER
USA PICKLEBALL BOARD CHAIRMAN
A
As we head into an exciting second half of 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the remarkable progress of USA Pickleball Serves, our charitable arm, and share a glimpse of what’ s ahead at this year’ s National Championships.
USA Pickleball Serves was formed to support our mission to promote the development and growth of pickleball in the United States and its territories. Through Serves, we are doing that by expanding access to pickleball for players of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Serves introduced a second grant program this year to accompany the existing Grow the Game Grant. The Play it Forward Grant assists in funding organizations across the U. S. that are installing or converting pickleball courts, with each awardee receiving a $ 50,000 grant.
In 2025, Serves has proudly awarded the Play it Forward Grant to the Emerald Valley Pickleball Foundation in Eugene, Oregon, which will build a 24-court public complex, and Friends of Buttery Brook Park in South Hadley, Massachusetts, which will expand its popular community pickleball hub and provide access to an anticipated 3,000 players.
Serves ensures that pickleball continues to grow in communities that need access the most. That is as compelling a reason as I can think of for you to join and support USA Pickleball. Even if you never compete in a USAPsanctioned tournament, your membership helps fuel Serves’ efforts to grow the sport.
Of course, the pinnacle of our tournament competition calendar is fast approaching— the 2025 USA Pickleball National Championships, which will be held Nov. 15-23 in San Diego, California. More than 3,000 players, nearly all of whom will have qualified to participate, are expected to compete on 60 courts at the newly expanded Barnes Tennis Center.
The atmosphere at the most prestigious pickleball tournament in the world will be nothing short of electric for both players and spectators alike. In addition, thanks to oncourt cameras, friends and family back home will be able to watch matches live. With Barnes being located just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, this year’ s National Championships will be a unique combination of a world-class destination and world-class pickleball.
I encourage you to be part of this unforgettable event and look forward to seeing you in beautiful San Diego in November.
BOARD CHAIRMAN Robert Quicksilver
BOARD VICE CHAIR Suzanne Guerin
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS
Philip Bullen Mark Fabbro Andrew Feffer
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
VICE PRESIDENT & CONTROLLER Rose James
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS Christian Portaro
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 COMMUNICATIONS & PR Jennifer Rogers
DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS & STRATEGIC PROJECTS
Ashley VanOchten
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS Brenda Puga
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Andrea Fogarty
DIRECTOR OF TOURNAMENT OPERATIONS Craig Haas
DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIP ACTIVATION Nick Salute
DIRECTOR OF RECREATIONAL AND COLLEGIATE ENGAGEMENT
Hana Papaco
DIRECTOR OF TOURNAMENT AND MEMBER EXPERIENCE
Drew Thomas
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Jon Lampe
CREATIVE LEAD Lisa Curran
12 TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL 412.914.8294 OR GO TO PICKLEBALLMAGAZINE. COM USAPICKLEBALL. ORG