2026 Speakers

Mark Patzelt

General Director

BaseX

Mark Patzelt is a seasoned leader in sports infrastructure and padel court development, serving as a key figure behind the BaseX Padel Court System (Resipadel GmbH), where he drives innovation in the design and construction of premium padel facilities worldwide. With a background in mechanical engineering and extensive experience in strategic development and sales, Mark focuses on advancing sustainable solutions and high-performance court systems that meet the evolving needs of clubs and developers in the padel industry. His work reflects a commitment to quality, collaboration, and the global growth of padel as a leading racquet sport.

Sergio Aguilar

National Director of Sports Lighting

LSI Industries

Sergio is the Director of Sports Lighting at LSI, where he leads high-performance lighting solutions for athletic environments, with a strong focus on court sports like pickleball and tennis. Working with everyone from municipal parks to private clubs and national franchises, he designs lighting systems that enhance visibility, player safety, and overall experience. With years of hands-on project leadership across the Southeast, Sergio brings practical expertise and a deep understanding of how thoughtful lighting elevates both play and atmosphere, while also supporting field-based sports such as high school football and multi-use athletic facilities.

Jason Aspes

President

UPA-A

Jason Aspes is a seasoned creative leader and entrepreneur. With over 20 years of experience as an award-winning creative director, he built his career at some of the world’s top advertising agencies, including Ogilvy & Mather, Leo Burnett, and D’Arcy. Jason spent 12 years of his career in Asia, where he held regional and global roles on Nike, Motorola, and IHG, shaping brand narratives on a worldwide scale. After returning to the U.S. in 2013, he became Global Creative Director for IHG at WPP, leading high-impact campaigns across multiple disciplines and markets. In 2010 Jason co-founded Newton Circus, an innovations company in Singapore focused on social and environmental sustainability. A lifelong basketball player, Jason discovered pickleball when the pandemic shut down indoor sports. That passion quickly grew into something more. He co-founded The Kitchen, the largest community in pickleball, and the performance-driven pickleball apparel brand, Wringer Wear. In May 2024, Jason was named the President of UPA-A, the governing body overseeing professional competition at PPA and MLP. Under his leadership, UPA-A is setting new standards for paddle regulation, innovation, and fair play at the professional level.

Jorge Barragan

CEO & Co-Founder

The Picklr

Jorge Barragan is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Picklr Inc. He's also part owner of MLP's California BLQK Bears. Experienced in Enterprise Software Sales, Jorge has been a key part of a company that saw an IPO and two successful exits. In 2020, long before the indoor pickleball craze began, he envisioned a place where people could enjoy this sport year-round. Teaming up with his best friend, Austin, they've turned this vision into a reality, now with seven locations and 80+ franchisees across the country.nBeyond business, Jorge is a family man, a father of six, and married to Saydee Barragan. A sports enthusiast who enjoys playing pickleball and golf.

Mike Barrell

Executive Director of Tennis

Sportime

Alejandro Bedoya

Captain

Philadelphia Union (MLS)

Alejandro Bedoya is the captain and veteran midfielder for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer, known for his leadership on and off the field. Since joining the Union in 2016, he has become one of the club’s most influential players and it's all-time leader in MLS appearances, helping lead the team to multiple playoff appearances and Supporters’ Shield titles. A graduate of Boston College with further business education from Harvard Business School, Alejandro is also an active investor and entrepreneur, supporting startups including Padel Haus, as one of its major investors, and serving as Co-Chairman of the Athlete Venture Group at SeventySix Capital. His blend of athletic excellence and business acumen makes him a respected voice both in sport and in the broader entrepreneurial community.

Brevin Bennett

Co-Founder

Off The Glass

Brevin Bennett is the Co‑Founder of Off The Glass, a company dedicated to supporting and elevating athletes beyond traditional systems. With a background that includes leadership roles at Triton and Eva‑Lution, Brevin is known for his people‑first approach, innovation, and commitment to workforce development. He has been recognized as one of Indiana’s Rising 30 manufacturing talents for his contributions to operational excellence and career pathway expansion, and actively champions alternative pathways, including career technical education, to create broader opportunities in both industry and sport.

Megan Buczynski

Principal, P.E., Civil Engineer

Activitas

Megan Buczynski is Chair‑Elect of the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) and a seasoned sports facility designer with Activitas, Inc., a firm specializing in landscape architecture, civil engineering, and athletic facility design. In her work, Megan applies engineering expertise to the planning and development of high‑quality athletic facilities and competitive courts, advocating for best practices and innovation in sports construction. Active in industry education and leadership, she helps shape standards and supports the professional community as ASBA marks key milestones in advancing safe, sustainable, and performance‑driven sports environments.

Pablo Carro

Co-founder & CCO

Playtomic

Pablo Carro is a founder of Playtomic, a passionate entrepreneur at the intersection of padel and technology. As Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Playtomic, he has driven the company’s growth across more than 25 countries, forging strategic partnerships with clubs, federations, and major sports brands. His expertise in leading expansion and positioning strategies has been crucial in establishing Playtomic as the #1 sports booking platform

Jarrett Chirico

Director of Racquets

North Hills Club

Jarrett Chirico is the Director of Racquets at North Hills Club in Raleigh, NC, and the Founder and President of The Directors Club of America the largest leadership network in the hospitality and racquet sports industry, representing over 400 clubs and 1,300+ leaders across North America and Europe. A former top-20 world junior and NCAA player at the University of Virginia, Jarrett has directed some of the country’s premier racquet programs, including Royal Oaks Country Club. He is an award-winning industry leader, author, and global keynote speaker, recognized by PTR, PPR, RSI, and BoardRoom Magazine, and featured on the cover of *Club & Resort Business* as “The King of the Court.” Jarrett is widely regarded as one of the leading Directors of Racquets in the U.S., with a passion for mentoring and developing the next generation of industry leaders.

Curtis Cruz

Founder and President

C Squared Ventures

Curtis Cruz is the Founder and President at C Squared Ventures and Lead Engineer at Pro Pickle Labs (PPL), a leading independent equipment testing organization in the pickleball industry. With over two decades of experience in sporting goods, Curtis has held significant roles, including Director of Product Development at a major sports equipment company and long-term consultant for various leading sporting goods brands.

Todd Dettor

Chief Growth and Innovation Officer and Owner

Fast-Dry Courts

Todd Dettor is CGIO and Owner at Fast‑Dry Courts, Inc., a leading court supply, construction, resurfacing, facility development company based in Pompano Beach, Florida. In his role, Todd serves as a leader in identifying new and innovative court products and solutions, while also leading residential, international, and new construction sales efforts. He is President and Founder of Tennclosure Fence Systems, LLC, a company focused on a patented, retractable and innovative fence solution for courts and other applications. Todd’s 27 year career in court construction spans from field construction, project management, customer engagement, and business growth within the racquet sports construction sector, and he holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Florida Atlantic University as well as a Florida State General Contractor license. He served on the Board of Directors for the American Sports Builders Association for 7 years, is the past President of its Courts Division and recently helped consult and publish the first edition of the padel court construction manual.

Brian Dillman

CEO

RSPA

Brian Dillman is the CEO of the Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA), formerly the USPTA. A transformative leader, he led the organization’s rebrand, expanding its scope beyond tennis to include pickleball, padel, squash, and platform tennis. Under his leadership, RSPA has become the leading authority in racquet sports certification and career development. Named Racquet Sports Industry magazine’s 2024 Person of the Year, Brian brings over two decades of experience in sporting goods, fitness, and fashion, including leadership roles at Wilson Sporting Goods, miha bodytec, Cervelo Bicycles, Peter Millar, and Rodd & Gunn. A former nationally ranked junior and collegiate tennis player, his deep industry knowledge continues to shape the future of racquet sports.

Joel Drucker

Executive Editor

tennisplayer.net

Currently the executive editor of the prominent instructional publication, tennisplayer.net, Joel Drucker is one of the world's leading tennis writers, including work for Tennis Channel, Tennis.com and the International Tennis Hall of Fame, where he is an historian-at-large.

Robyn Duda

CEO

RacquetX

Robyn Duda is an award-winning event strategist, experience designer, and thought leader who has worked with some of the most recognized brands in the world including Coca-Cola, Spotify, Visa, and IBM. Her nearly 20 years of work has inspired, innovated, and harnessed growth for her clients by focusing on how we connect in the changing world. She is the co-founder of RacquetX, the world’s first festival of thought, connection, and experiential learning for businesses and consumers of racquet sports. With a clear vision for reinventing the future of events, Robyn is requested to speak all over the world and has been seen in The New York Times, Entrepreneur, Fox Business, Glamour, Folio, and BizBash. She also works with the next generation of creators as an Instructor at Emory University’s Center for Innovation and is an advisor for several organizations in the event and technology spaces.

Bryan Fike

Market Leader – Racquet Sports Development

LaBella Associates

Bryan Fike is an architect and market leader for Racquet Sports Development at LaBella Associates, where he specializes in the planning and design of racquet sports venues across public, private, and sports-anchored mixed-use developments. With nearly 15 years of experience spanning Parks and Recreation, Education, Private, and Federal projects, Bryan brings a well-rounded perspective to complex recreational environments.nHis recent work is focused on next-generation indoor and outdoor racquet sports facilities, including tennis, pickleball, and padel clubs, where design strategy, operational efficiency, and long-term return on investment intersect. Bryan works closely with owners and operators to align facility programming with the evolving future of racquet sports, integrating technology, health and wellness, hospitality-driven amenities, and scalable development models.

Jonathan Fralick

Vice President of Racquet

Invited Clubs

Jonathan Fralick is the Vice President of Racquet Sports at Invited Clubs where he leads the strategy and growth of racquet sports programming across one of the largest private club networks in North America. In his role, Jonathan oversees racquet operations, player development initiatives, and expansive tennis and pickleball programming at hundreds of club locations, helping drive engagement and community participation across the sport. Known for developing innovative pathways like junior and adult entry programs, he brings deep expertise in racquet sports management and growth to the industry.

Chuck Gill

Director of Tennis

Village of Wellington

Chuck Gill is a respected tennis industry professional and current Director of Tennis at the Wellington Tennis Center in Wellington, Florida, where he oversees programming and operations at one of the region’s most active public tennis facilities. With more than four decades of experience in racquet sports management, Chuck has served in leadership roles across clubs and organizations, including long tenures at The Club at Ibis and active volunteer service with the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) and the United States Tennis Association (USTA). He is a past president of both USPTA and USPTA Florida and currently serves as President of USTA Florida for the 2025–2026 term, advocating for expanded access to tennis and growth of the sport at all levels. Known for his passion for community engagement and player development, Chuck has also been recognized for his contributions to industry excellence and charitable initiatives.

Santiago Gomez

Founder & CEO

Padel Haus

Born and raised in Mexico City, Santiago began his career as an investment banker at UBS before transitioning into the hospitality industry. He co-founded Cosme and ATLA, two of New York City’s most acclaimed restaurants, earning multiple awards and recognition on prestigious lists such as San Pellegrino’s World’s 50 Best and The New York Times’ Restaurant of the Year. A passionate padel player for over 20 years, Santiago was inspired during the global pandemic to pivot from the restaurant industry. He sold his restaurant business and launched Padel Haus, now the leading padel operator in the US. With three locations in New York City and one in Nashville, Padel Haus is expanding rapidly, with new clubs under construction in Atlanta, Denver, and Greenpoint (NYC). By the end of 2025, Padel Haus will have six locations across the US.

Jeramy Hall

AI Innovation Consultant

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Business Professional who meets and exceeds set targets for revenue growth, NPS, and overall performance. Creating business structure, identifying opportunities, and architecting viable solutions; capitalizing on growth opportunities, enabling executional excellence, and optimizing the customer experience. Expert leader and coach, optimizing performance with a pragmatic approach, clearly articulating campaigns, bridging the gap between departments, senior leadership and front-line stakeholders, and restructuring / executing processes. Collaborative and skilled in developing desired behaviors and fully engaging teams in strategic business and customer initiatives.

Mali Hall

Director of Racquet Sports

Hunters Run Country Club

Mali Hall is the Director of Racquet Sports at Hunters Run Country Club, where she leads comprehensive tennis and pickleball programming, competitive leagues, clinics, and member engagement initiatives. Born and raised in Serbia and arriving in the U.S. on a full tennis scholarship to Missouri State University, Mali built her career directing elite club tennis programs and summer camps before joining Hunters Run, where she progressed from seasonal USPTA tennis professional to full-time leadership and was promoted to Director in 2021. She’s known for developing vibrant racquet communities, expanding both tennis and pickleball offerings, and creating inclusive, high-quality experiences that keep members active and connected.

Daren Hornig

Founder & CEO

CourtsApp

Daren is the Managing Partner of Hornig Capital Partners, bringing over 30 years of real estate experience with a diverse background as a real estate broker, telecommunications entrepreneur, and real estate investor and developer. Since founding HCP in 2013, he has acquired and developed over $1 billion in properties across office, residential, retail, and industrial sectors. In 2023, he successfully acquired the famed Port Washington Tennis Academy and partnered with Sportime to establish Sportime Port Washington, home to the John McEnroe Tennis Academy. Following an $8 million renovation, the facility now features 13 tennis courts and 12 pickleball courts. In 2024, Daren partnered with Sportime again to launch Sportime Pickleball, focused on expanding pickleball facilities throughout the Northeast. The company currently operates five clubs, spanning 160,000 square feet with 66 indoor dedicated courts, and is actively acquiring new properties through leases and acquisitions to expand further. A 1989 graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, with a bachelors degree in Business Marketing, Daren resides in both New York and Florida. When he is not acquiring properties or launching new pickleball facilities, you can find him on the courts or the slopes.

Christopher Irding

Managing Partner

Borghem Invest AB

Christopher Irding is a business leader, board member and one of the major investors of Padel Haus, where he supports the company’s strategic growth and development of premium padel club experiences. With extensive experience serving on the boards of multiple Swedish companies and investment ventures, Christopher brings strong governance insight and a global business perspective to the racquet sports industry. His background includes leadership roles across corporate boards focused on strategic planning, organizational development, and operational oversight, helping drive value and long-term vision for emerging brands and sports-related ventures.

Neeru Jayanthi, M.D.

Director

Emory Tennis Medicine

Dr. Jayanthi is a past president for the Society for Tennis and Medicine Science (STMS).nHe serves as a medical advisor for the WTA (Woman’s Tennis Association) PlayernDevelopment Panel, a volunteer ATP tournament physician for nearly 25 years, and servesnas the Chair of the USTA Sport Science Committee. He sees 1200 adult, junior, and highnperformance tennis player visits annual and coordinates care regionally with tennis-specificnproviders. He has been a course director nearly 30 times and has been an invited speakernover 200 times to local, regional conferences as well as at national and internationalnacademy conferences. He has been published nearly 100 times much of which is on tennisnmedicine and science and youth athletes. He has been voted by his peers as an Atlantan“Top Doctor” since 2018. He is a proud husband and father to 2 young active tennis-nplaying boys. Dr. Jayanthi, has been featured and/or appeared on 150 media outlets includingnHBO Real Sports, ESPN, NPR, New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, HuffingtonnPost. He has been USPTA and PTR certified and is an active competitive adult tennisnplayer.

Jenny Karn

Senior Director

SFIA

Jenny Karn is Senior Director at the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), where she leads efforts to expand the organization’s digital presence, support industry‑leading research, and drive strategic growth across multiple channels. A seasoned marketing and communications professional with nearly two decades of experience, Jenny has built and scaled consulting firms from the ground up and worked with global brands including Google, the NBA, and Sherwin‑Williams to solve complex challenges and boost audience engagement. Her passion for sports and fitness extends beyond her professional work, with active involvement in activities like lifting, ultramarathons, and triathlons, reflecting her commitment to advancing SFIA’s mission to increase participation and support the vitality of the sports and fitness industry.

Eric Kent

Director of Pickleball

Patch Reef Paddle and Racquet Club

Eric is a USPTA Elite Tennis Professional and PPR-Certified Pickleball Professional with over 20 years of coaching experience. He holds a degree in Professional Tennis Management and has served as Director at multiple clubs, where he consistently increased player participation by at least 100% through program development, facility growth, and community engagement.n

Todd Kramer

Executive Vice President

Bay Clubs

Todd Kramer is the Executive Vice President of Sports at The Bay Club Company, where he leads the strategic development and expansion of racquet and sports programming across the organization’s award-winning lifestyle club network. With deep expertise in tennis, pickleball, and padel, Todd oversees operations, coaching teams, and engagement across Bay Club’s world-class facilities, helping elevate both member experiences and community participation. His work focuses on fostering inclusive athletic communities and driving innovative sports offerings within one of the West Coast’s premier fitness and active-lifestyle brands.

Brian Lloyd

Chief Pickleball Officer

Dill Dinkers

Brian has spent 25+ years in business and executive leadership, leading different organizations in their expansion efforts. He has held various leadership positions supporting business operations, strategy, corporate marketing, and international business development. Most recently, Brian joined Dill Dinkers as the brand’s first employee and has led all Pickleball operations, court programming and offerings, Pro shop, and corporate partnerships, as well as executive team expansion efforts.

Eric Loftus

Partner

Northeast Padel

Eric Loftus is the President of Northeast Padel and Vice President of Cape & Island Tennis & Track, leading one of the most respected racquet sports court construction and facility development companies in the United States. With a deep background in tennis, track, and padel court design and construction, Eric has become a prominent voice in the growth of padel nationwide, advocating for quality-driven infrastructure as the sport expands across the U.S. He has guided Northeast Padel’s strategic launch and helped position the company to support clubs, developers, and communities as they integrate padel into their facilities. Eric is also active in industry discussions on facility trends and best practices, contributing expertise to racquet sports leaders and events.

Joy Macci

Founder & CEO

Joy of Sport, Joy of Pickleball, and Joy of Quantum Sports

Dr. Joy Macci is a globally recognized sports performance pioneer, elite coach, and innovator at the intersection of neuroscience, performance psychology, and next-generation training. A former Co-Owner and Director of Macci International Tennis Academy, she helped develop world-class champions including Serena and Venus Williams, Andy Roddick, and Jennifer Capriati. As Founder and CEO of Joy of Sport, Joy of Pickleball, and Joy of Quantum Sports, Dr. Macci is a trailblazer advancing pickleball and high-performance sport through her proprietary Quantum Pickleball™ framework, blending brain science, emotional regulation, and flow training. An internationally sought-after speaker and educator, she presents for leading global organizations and delivers transformational programs worldwide. Her impact has been recognized with the 2025 Golden Pickle Business Award and 2025 Sports Performance Leader of the Year at the Forttuna Global Excellence Awards in Dubai.

Tito Machado

CEO

DUPR

Tito is the CEO of DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), the largest platform in pickleball with over one million users. Under his leadership, DUPR has become the leading global rating system and the official home of pickleball’s College and High School Tours, fostering growth and competition at all levels.

Michael Mahoney

Senior Vice President & National Racquet Sports Director

Midtown Athletic Clubs

Michael Mahoney’s professional life has always been centered around the game of tennis. Beginning his career with Tennis Corporation of America (TCA) in 1978 as a coach at Midtown Athletic Club in Rochester, New York, Mahoney was named assistant head pro at Midtown in 1983. Two years later, he was promoted to head tennis professional at Tri-State Athletic Club in Evansville, Indiana (also a TCA club). nIn 1988, Mahoney returned to Rochester as director of tennis for Midtown's Rochester and Syracuse, New York clubs.nIn January of 1990, he was promoted to general manager of TCA's flagship facility, Midtown Tennis Club®, in Chicago. In addition to that position, Mahoney was promoted to regional general manager in January of 1994 and to regional vice president in January of 1998. In August of 1999, Mahoney was named national tennis director for TCA.nNamed Senior Vice President in November of 2010, Mahoney lead tennis operations for nine Midtown Athletic Clubs in the U.S. and Canada until February of 2014, while retaining his current role as general manager at the company’s flagship location, Midtown Athletic Club in Chicago. nMahoney's tennis teaching experience includes two years at the Port Washington Tennis Academy in Long Island, New York, which is renowned for developing outstanding junior players. n A past president of the Chicago District Tennis Association, the Chicago arm of the United States Tennis Association, Mahoney is certified by both the Professional Tennis Registry and Unites States Professional Tennis Association and is a graduate of the University of Rochester. Mahoney and his wife, Bridget, and their three children, Mike, Jack and Keely, live in Riverside, Illinois.

Thomas McCarthy

Corporate Director, Culture Transformation

The Ritz-Carlton Learning Center

Scott McCulloch

President & CEO

Cliff Drysdale

With over 25 years of experience as a nationally ranked player, coach, director and executive in the racquet sports industry, Scott brings unparalleled expertise and passion to his role as President and COO of Cliff Drysdale Tennis. Scott has honed his skills as an operations, programming and business development expert for over 17 years while leading the company domestically and internationally. nnA dynamic leader and keynote speaker, Scott is widely regarded as an industry innovator with a forward-thinking approach to the evolving world of racquet sports. With extensive experience in private clubs, commercial clubs, resorts, residential communities, municipalities, and public facilities, Scott’s strategic vision and deep operational knowledge have made him a trusted advisor and thought leader in the field. nScott is also an active board and committee member, leveraging his insights and expertise to shape the future of the industry. Whether speaking at conferences or driving growth from within, Scott’s commitment to excellence and his ability to inspire teams set him apart as a transformative force in racquet sports.

Abigail McCulloch

Founder

Alma Padel

Abigail McCulloch is the founder of Alma Padel, a luxury padel club in the North Shore of Chicago redefining how sport, hospitality, and community intersect. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, she is one of the youngest founders in U.S. padel and a leading voice in the sport’s growth nationwide. Her work focuses on building spaces that feel as good socially as they do competitively.

Bobbi Oshiro

Pro Pickleball Player

APP

Bobbi Oshiro is a professional pickleball player originally from Oahu, Hawaii, now based in Plantation, Florida. A former collegiate tennis athlete at Boise State University, she transitioned to pickleball in 2020 and quickly established herself on the competitive pro tour. Known for her energetic play and positive presence, Bobbi has earned multiple gold medals in APP Tour events, including championships in women’s and mixed doubles, and continues to compete at a high level across singles, doubles, and mixed competitions. She is also recognized for her strong tournament results and contributions to the growing professional pickleball community.

Philippe Oudshoorn

Marketing & Brand Director; North America

Tecnifibre

Philippe Oudshoorn is a former NCAA Division I tennis player and national-championship-winning collegiate coach who began his career in college tennis before moving into USTA Player Development, working with the nation’s top junior players. He now serves as Marketing & Brand Director for North America at Tecnifibre (Lacoste Group), overseeing tennis, pickleball, padel, and squash with active involvement in product development, athletes, events, and communications.

Ashley Owens

Co-Founder

CourtReserve

Ashley Owens is the Co-Founder of CourtReserve, a leading club management and court-reservation platform used by thousands of racquet and paddle sports facilities across North America. With deep experience in sales, marketing, and product strategy, Ashley has helped shape CourtReserve into a trusted solution that streamlines operations, enhances member engagement, and supports growth for tennis, pickleball, and padel clubs alike. Under her leadership, the company has expanded its reach and continues innovating to meet the needs of modern sports communities. In addition to her work with CourtReserve, Ashley and her co-founder partner opened Old Coast Pickleball, a dedicated indoor facility in St. Augustine, Florida — further grounding her commitment to the racquet sports industry.

Lauren Pedersen

CEO & Co-Founder

SportAI

SportAI, where she combines her passion for sports with extensive experience growing global tech companies.nnOriginally from New Zealand, Lauren played NCAA Division One tennis for American University in Washington, DC. She started her career working in some of the world's largest advertising agencies in New York and London before turning her focus to tech start-ups.nnOver the past 16 years, Lauren has held a number of leadership roles in successful international tech start-ups including Opera Software and Airthings. Lauren continues to play competitive tennis and recently represented Norway at the ITF Masters World Championships in Tokyo.

Cristian Petschen

Global Practice Leader – Sports, Entertainment, and Public Venues

LaBella Associates

Cristian Petschen is a seasoned architect and leader with over 30 years of experience in design and construction, specializing in sports and entertainment venues that have garnered regional, national, and international recognition. As Global Sports & Entertainment Practice Leader at LaBella Associates, he focuses on the design of stadiums, multi-use venues, and sports-anchored mixed-use developments that integrate seamlessly into their communities.nCristian brings a forward-thinking approach to every project, combining expertise in architecture with a passion for innovation, emerging technologies, and smart venue strategies to transform the fan experience, optimize operations, and drive long-term revenue growth for communities, teams, and investors.

Christie Pink

Corporate Director, Culture Transformation

The Ritz-Carlton Learning Center

Sergio Pizzolante

CEO

Sports Summit USA

Sergio Pizzolante is a leading figure in the Ibero-American audiovisual industry, with more than 30 years of experience as a CEO and President, specializing in content strategy, programming, distribution, and IP development across Latin America, Brazil, the U.S. Hispanic market, and Spain. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership roles at Sony Pictures, HBO Latin America, OLE Distribution, and NBCUniversal, driving projects and franchises that reached over 60 million households. He later founded CTMOBS, an independent platform operating as a creative studio and strategic advisory focused on elevating Latin-identity stories with global ambition. Since 2021, he has maintained an active relationship with Secuoya Studios, serving as President of Commercial & Distribution and currently as an Executive Producer. In parallel, Sergio is CEO of Sports Summit USA and Global COO, playing a strategic role in the growth of one of the world’s leading B2B platforms for the sports industry, with a strong presence across the Americas and Europe.

Chris Post

Director of Racquets

Southward Ho Country Club

Chris Post has served as the Director of Racquets at Southward Ho Country Club on Long Island for the past 9 years. Under his leadership, the club offers a comprehensive lineup of racquet sports, including tennis, platform tennis, and pickleball, with padel slated to launch this upcoming spring.nBefore joining Southward Ho, Chris was the Head Racquets Professional at the Stanwich Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. With 18 years in the racquet sports industry, he brings deep expertise across multiple disciplines.nIn his personal time, Chris enjoys family outings, time with his dog, and playing padel.

Matt Pressman

Editor & Publisher

Florida Tennis

Matt Pressman started his journey in tennis as a junior player who lived and trained at Saddlebrook Resort's Harry Hopman Tennis Academy in Tampa. After his time at the academy, Pressman returned to his home in Connecticut to privately train with Brian Barker — former coach of world no. 4 James Blake. Pressman’s high school tennis team went on to win the Connecticut State Championship. Soon after, Pressman received a D1 athletic scholarship to attend the University of Connecticut where he served as Captain of the Huskies tennis team. He also worked as the Assistant Tennis Pro at the Woodbridge Club in Woodbridge, CT. After working for two decades in the magazine industry and advertising sector in NYC, he transitioned to Florida. Pressman acquired Florida Tennis magazine in 2023 and serves as its Editor and Publisher.

Ron Radigonda

Board Member

UPA-A

Ron Radigonda is a highly respected sports administrator with more than 50 years of experience across multiple sports. He began his career in 1967 with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and later spent 28 years with the Sacramento Recreation and Parks Department overseeing softball, baseball, basketball, volleyball, and tennis leagues and tournaments. Ron went on to serve as the first Executive Director of the Sacramento Sports Commission, where he also founded the Sacramento Sports Foundation. In 1998, he was appointed Executive Director of the Amateur Softball Association (now USA Softball), the sport’s national governing body recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee, leading the organization for 15 years during which Team USA earned two Olympic gold medals, one silver medal, and numerous Pan Am and World Championship titles. He also played a key role in establishing bat and ball performance standards and on-site testing protocols. From 2014 to 2018, Ron served as Executive Director of the Softball Division of the World Baseball Softball Confederation, organizing World Championships and meetings across five continents. In 2024, he joined Pickle Pro Labs, bringing his deep expertise in equipment certification to help implement a certification process for pickleball paddles for UPA-A.n

Will Richards

Founder & CEO

Dill Dinkers

Will is an Air Force veteran and has 40 years of experience in management. After leaving the Air Force he embarked on a career at Domino’s Pizza. He rose through the ranks at the company and was part of Domino’s Pizza rapid growth throughout the late 80s and early 90s. He later became an area Franchisee with the company. After transitioning away from Pizza in 2000 he became involved in IT and logistics serving in various management roles until finally getting into the world of non-profits – helping people with disabilities find meaningful employment for over 14 years.

Jose Luis Sanz Fernadez

Padel Business Leader

Babolat

José Luis Sanz Fernández is the Padel Business Leader at Babolat, the renowned French racquet sports company with a long legacy in tennis, padel, and other racket disciplines. In this role, he leads Babolat’s global strategy and development in padel, representing the brand at major industry events and driving collaborations that support the sport’s growth worldwide. With extensive experience in international sports business and a deep passion for padel, José Luis focuses on innovation, market expansion, and connecting with the global padel community to advance the game’s reach and potential.

Chen Shachar

CEO & Co-founder

Playsight

Chen M. Shachar is the co-founder and CEO of PlaySight (www.playsight.com). He is committed to making elite sports technologies accessible to athletes of all levels, in all sports, worldwide. PlaySight is revolutionizing the sports industry by transforming analog courts into AI SmartCourts and taking both entertainment and performance to the next level. With high-resolution cameras and advanced AI technology, PlaySight delivers cutting-edge video and performance analysis tools for various sports. Shachar holds an ME in System Engineering and a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering both from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa.

Trevor Short

Founder & CEO

Inspiring Dreams

Len Simard

Search & Consultant Executive

Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace

Len Simard is a Search Executive specializing in Racquet Sports, Fitness, and GM/COOnplacements with Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace (KK&W), the nation’s leading hospitalitynrecruiting and consulting firm. A USTA Coaching Specialist, PTR Professional, and RSPAnMaster Professional, Len has spent nearly two decades placing racquets directors and clubnexecutives and is widely regarded as one of the industry’s foremost recruiter-consultants.nLen works closely with private member equity clubs throughout North America, providingnexecutive search services, comprehensive facility and organizational assessments, committeenretreats, and compensation evaluations. He regularly advises club Presidents and GM/COOs onnsenior-level leadership placements and long-term organizational strategy. To date, Len hasnconducted more than 150 executive searches across the hospitality and private club sector.nPrior to executive search, Len enjoyed a distinguished operating career. He served as Director ofnRacquets at several premier clubs, including Isleworth Golf & Country Club, ranked amongnthe top clubs in the world, New Canaan Field Club, Boca Lago Country Club, and ThenWellington Club. He also served as GM/COO of the New Canaan Racquet Club, recognizednas the nation’s top revenue-per-court facility.nKKW is the official search and consulting firm of USTA Coaching, and Len works closelynwith USTA Coaching leadership to deliver career development and leadership education tonracquets professionals nationwide.

Fred Stringfellow

Executive Director

American Sports Builders Association

Fred Stringfellow is the Executive Director of the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), the leading national organization dedicated to advancing the design, construction, and maintenance of sports facilities, including tennis and racquet sport courts. With decades of experience in association management, strategic planning, and industry leadership, Fred guides ASBA’s initiatives to provide technical resources, education, and standards that help builders, designers, and facility owners deliver high‑quality, safe athletic environments. He also leads the Stringfellow Management Group, bringing deep expertise in meetings, communications, and operational excellence to support to other trade associations.

Brad Tuckman

Co-Founder & CEO

The Fort

Brad Tuckman is the co‑founder and CEO of The Fort, the world’s first dedicated pickleball stadium and premier pickleball destination in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, featuring 43 courts, a stadium, and a vibrant community environment that also serves as the headquarters for the Association of Pickleball Players. A seasoned entrepreneur and business leader, Brad previously founded CreativeDrive, which was acquired by Accenture Interactive in 2020, and served as CEO of OneKreate, bringing extensive experience in marketing, business development, and leadership to his work in pickleball. He also co‑founded Dink Drop Trainer, a pickleball training tool company, and serves as a board member at Xendoo, contributing to small‑business financial services strategy. Brad is an alumnus of the Rochester Institute of Technology, adding a strong foundation in business and innovation to his leadership in growing the sport and community at The Fort.

Ivan Vajda

CEO

Vending Sport

Ivan Vajda is the Chief Executive Officer of Vending Sport Ltd., a company focused on innovative solutions and digital vending for sports products across padel, tennis, pickleball, and other athletic markets. With a strong presence on LinkedIn and experience engaging with global sports communities, Ivan leverages his leadership and entrepreneurial skills to grow sporting infrastructure and technology that supports clubs, players, and event environments. His work reflects a commitment to enhancing access to sports equipment and services through intelligent, customer-centric solutions, while actively contributing to conversations around tennis, padel, and pickleball in the broader sporting ecosystem.n

Joe Wilkerson

General Manager National Campus

USTA

Joe brings more than 22 years of professional experience in the health and tennis industry, with a proven track record of growing memberships and expanding tennis programs. He spent 14 years with Midtown Athletic Clubs and Midtown Health, advancing from tennis coach to Regional Tennis Director, where he oversaw tennis operations across multiple health and country clubs, and later serving as General Manager of Mercy HealthPlex Anderson, a 150,000-square-foot flagship facility in Cincinnati. From 2017 to 2019, Joe was General Manager of the Raleigh Racquet Club, a 31-court facility serving more than 1,000 members. He joined JTCC in 2019 as Senior Vice President, launching the Learn Tennis Now adult program and overseeing operations, programming, and staffing, before being named Chief Operating Officer in 2023, where he also managed accounting, HR, capital projects, and business development. As of October 2025, Joe serves as General Manager of the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Florida. A former collegiate tennis player at Methodist University, Joe graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Professional Tennis Management and holds certifications from RSPA, PTR, and the USTA.

Ryan Wolfington

Inspiring Children Foundation

Founder & President

Mike Woody

Vice President / National Tennis Director

Genesis Health Clubs

Mike Woody is a respected leader in the tennis industry, currently serving as Vice President and National Tennis Director at Genesis Health Clubs, where he oversees tennis operations, inspires and trains a large team of professionals, and drives dynamic programming across multiple club locations. Before joining Genesis, he spent more than two decades as Executive Director of the Greater Midland Tennis Center, where he led a 39-court facility and numerous national, sectional, collegiate and local events, helped the community earn the USTA’s “Best Tennis Town” designation, and championed grassroots growth of the sport. A USTA Master Trainer, Professional Tennis Registry Workshop Leader, and USPTA Hall of Fame inductee, Mike is widely recognized for his commitment to expanding tennis participation, developing coaching talent, and speaking at national conventions.

Alex Zub

Founder & CEO

OpenCourt

Alex Zub is a serial entrepreneur and Founder & CEO of OpenCourt, the all-in-one AI-enabled club management and court booking platform built on a simple belief: great clubs are built on community, not just court bookings. He's focused on growing the sport by making club ownership effortless – so operators can focus on what they love. He lives in Austin, TX with his family of six.

Marcos del Pilar

Award-winning Global Padel Consultant

Padel And Success

Marcos del Pilar is a global padel leader, serial entrepreneur, investor, and award-winning consultant with over 30 years of experience in racquet sports. Widely regarded as a pioneer of padel in the United States, he has been instrumental in the sport’s growth since 2017 and is often referred to as “The Godfather of Padel in the U.S.”nnA former USPA President, Marcos was a key leader behind the first-ever Padel World Championship in the United States (2022) and co-founded the Pro Padel League (PPL), where he served as CEO and Commissioner. He is a trusted advisor to global investment groups and venture capital firms and leads one of the world’s most impactful padel education initiatives in partnership with the RSPA, certifying more than 1,300 coaches in the U.S.nnBlending elite coaching, professional playing experience, and senior executive leadership, Marcos is dedicated to growing padel in North America while creating meaningful opportunities across the sport’s ecosystem.