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.

McKay Allen

CEO

Patch

SaaS executive with 2 successful exits. Obsessed with building predictable and scalable revenue engines without burning through cash. Experience leading venture-backed, PE funded, and bootstrapped organizations. Serve on national Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Volunteer Leadership Council and Utah Exec Board.

Kevin Anderson

Former Professional Tennis Player

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Kevin Anderson is one of the modern era’s defining big match competitors, an imposing 6’8” South African whose explosive serve and calm, surgical mindset carried him from Johannesburg to the sport’s highest stages and into the game’s inner circle of leadership. A standout at the University of Illinois before turning professional in 2007, Anderson built his career the hard way, through steady improvement, relentless professionalism, and repeated comebacks, ultimately winning seven ATP singles titles, rising to a career high world No. 5, and proving he belonged with the sport’s giants on its biggest courts. He reached two Grand Slam finals, the 2017 US Open and 2018 Wimbledon, authored one of Wimbledon’s signature runs of the decade with a two sets down comeback over Roger Federer, and survived the epic 26–24 fifth set semifinal marathon against John Isner, matches that did not just showcase power, but rare endurance, clarity under pressure, and championship level nerve. Beyond the baseline, Anderson has been equally respected as a steward of the sport, serving for years on the ATP Player Council and ultimately as its President, while earning the ATP’s Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award for impact beyond tennis. Now retired from the tour, he brings to this historic American draft moment a perspective forged in Grand Slam finals, locker room leadership, and a career defined by resilience, an athlete who understands what it takes to build winning cultures, elevate players, and move the game forward.

Ted Angelo

Co-Founder & owner

The Hub Pickleball

Co-Founder & Owner of The Hub Pickleball Clubs & Family of Brands, Ted Angelo is a driving force in the growth and innovation of the sport. A serial entrepreneur and community builder, I also co-founded CRBN Pickleball and founded Pickleball Superstore. Ted serves on the NCPA Board of Directors and UPL Board member, bringing strategic insight and leadership to the sport’s evolution. A former USA Pickleball Ambassador and active Pickleball Brand Consulant; with over 25 years as a Contractor/Designer and 5 pickleball clubs built, Ted continues to shape pickleball’s future through passion, vision, and hands-on industry experience.

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.

Jim Balding

Founder

The ANT Group

With over 35 years of experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, I am passionate about integrating the latest design technologies with traditional architecture to create innovative and sustainable solutions for the built environment. As a BIM and digital design expert, I leverage the power of Revit, 3D printing, laser scanning, immersive environments, and augmented reality to enhance the design process, improve collaboration, and optimize performance. I have authored and co-authored multiple publications on the topics of BIM, digital fabrication, and immersive environments, and I have been a speaker and chairman at several industry conferences and events. I am also the founder and principal of The ANT Group, a boutique firm that specializes in delivering customized, efficient, and quality-driven solutions for commercial and residential architecture. I am driven by the mission of redefining the architectural realm by seamlessly blending technology and creativity. In addition to running The ANT Group full time, I am currently a Preferred Architect at USA Pickleball, the national governing body for the sport of pickleball in the United States, where I consult and design world-class pickleball facilities across the country.

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

Kim Bastien

Founder

Empower Pickleball

Kim Bastien is a seasoned sports business professional and Co‑Founder of Empower Pickleball, where they drive strategic growth, media partnerships, and community engagement within the sport. With a background in global media and partnership development, including leadership roles focused on expanding visibility and commercial opportunities. Kim brings a strong blend of industry insight and creative activation experience to the racquet sports ecosystem. Their work centers on building meaningful connections between brands, athletes, and audiences, helping advance both sport and business objectives.

Jim Bates

Partner

Sports Club Advisors

Jim Bates is a founding partner at Sports Club Advisors and an industry expert on the business of racquet sports. With over 40 years of experience, Jim combines elite athletic expertise with high-level investment banking, having facilitated over $200 million in industry transactions. A true multi-sport expert, Jim is a Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) certified instructor, a USTA Global CardioTennis Trainer, and holds three certifications from the Professional Tennis Registry. Beyond the court, he is a recognized thought leader and co-author of the Wiley-published book "Business Valuation for Dummies."

Lisa Beaufait

Founder

Hot Shots Pickleball Club

Lisa Beaufait is the founder and owner of Hot Shots Pickleball Club, a premier destination where sport, social connection, and hospitality come together. With an MBA and RCC Corporate Coach Certification, she combines strategic vision, leadership development expertise, and hands-on business experience to shape the club’s growth and culture. Under her leadership, Hot Shots has evolved into a hybrid recreation and hospitality concept featuring high-quality pickleball courts alongside a kitchen, bar, pro shop, and self-serve tap wall, creating a vibrant hub for the local pickleball community. Drawing on her leadership experience at FedEx and her own consulting work, Lisa is passionate about fostering community, wellness, and active lifestyles while building an inclusive environment where people can connect, compete, and grow both on and off the court.

Viktoria Belinsky

Former Pro-Tennis Player & Coach

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Viktoria Belinsky is a former WTA tour professional tennis player and experienced coach whose career has taken her around the world — from competing in all four Grand Slams to coaching elite athletes and developing rising stars. After a successful professional playing career, highlighted by top WTA rankings in both singles and doubles and membership on the USSR national team, she transitioned into coaching and player development, including work with the USTA Player Development program. Belinsky is the founder of Tennis ProWay, a boutique pro player development program in Fort Lauderdale focused on individualized training and holistic growth, drawing on her deep expertise and years of experience shaping coaching philosophies and guiding players toward excellence.

Steve Bellami

Founder

TYPTI

Steve Bellamy is a sports media entrepreneur best known as the founder of Tennis Channel and other niche networks including The Surf Channel and The Ski Channel. A longtime innovator in racquet sports, he also created the popular LiveBall tennis drill and previously served as President of Motion Picture and Entertainment at Kodak. Bellamy is currently the chairman and CEO of TYPTI Inc., the company behind TYPTI, a new racquet sport he developed that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and pickleball and is designed to be played on existing pickleball courts. Through TYPTI, Bellamy is leading an effort to build a national competitive circuit and create new opportunities for clubs, players, and the broader racquet sports industry.

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.

Ben Borton

Co-Founder

PodPlay Technologies

[Name] is Co-Founder of PodPlay Technologies, where he leads go-to-market strategy and helps drive the company’s mission to transform sports venues into connected, tech-enabled hubs for play, content, and community. PodPlay is building a platform that combines vertical SaaS, hardware, and digital experiences to help clubs and operators create engaging, revenue-generating environments for modern racquet sports and recreation spaces. In 2025, the company raised an $8 million Series A round led by Frontier Growth to accelerate the future of technology-enabled sports venues. Prior to PodPlay, he served as Head of Digital Fund Services at Figure Technologies, where he led the business unit issuing blockchain-native private fund interests, and previously was a partner at investment firms Mountaineer Partners and MM Capital. An active technology investor and writer on vertical SaaS and sports venue innovation, he focuses on building products and businesses that increase participation and bring more real-world experiences to life through technology.n

Gary Brody

Managing Partner

Go No Go Enterprises and Pickle Pro Labs

I am the founder of Pickle Pro Labs and Go No Go Enterprises. PPL is the official and exclusive certification and on site testing lab of UPA-A, PPA and MLP. GNG Enterprises is the exclusive and official On Site testing equipment provider to UPA-A, MLP, PPA, DUPR and Pickleball.com. GNG is being rolled out to competitive play in the amateur game, both domestically and internationally.

Michael Brown

President

Pickleball Inc.

Michael Brown is President of Pickleball Play Solutions (PPS), where he leads the SaaS B2B and B2C technology businesses within Pickleball Inc., overseeing the platforms and services hosted on Pickleball.com and its affiliated websites, which collectively attract more than five million monthly visits and support rapidly growing player participation. Since entering the industry in 2021 as a senior executive at PickleballTournaments.com, the sport’s original SaaS platform for tournament and event management, Michael has played a key leadership role during a period of major growth and consolidation, including the 2022 acquisition of both PickleballTournaments.com and Pickleball Central by Dundon Capital Partners. He later served as Interim CEO of Pickleball Central, guiding the organization through its post-acquisition transition and ensuring operational stability. With more than 35 years of experience across telecom, mobility, and SaaS, Michael has built and scaled technology-driven businesses, leading operations, product strategy, partnerships, and growth initiatives throughout his career. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

George Brunt

General Counsel

Selk

Prior to taking on the role of Chief Legal Officer at Selkirk Sport, George served as the Chair of the Corporate Practice Group at Lee & Hayes, where he acted as outside general counsel to a wide range of clients. George has a strong background in corporate finance, securities, M&A, and Intellectual Property. He is an adjunct professor at Gonzaga Law School and a frequent presenter/speaker on a variety of business and legal topics.

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.

Kurtis Campbell

Founder & President

Pickleball Manager

Kurtis Campbell is a former professional pickleball player who left his job as an app developer to create Pickleball Manager, one of the most innovative and easy-to-use tournament and league applications on the market!

Diego Campos

Managing Partner

Sunrise Padel Capital

Diego Campos is Managing Partner of Sunrise Padel Capital, where he leads investments across clubs, leagues, and enabling technologies in the rapidly growing padel industry. He focuses on building institutional-grade platforms that combine operational excellence with long-term capital discipline.

Chandler Carney

Board Member / Attorney

Global Pickleball Federation

Chandler Carney serves on the Board of Directors of the Global Pickleball Federation, where she contributes to international governance, federation development, and the global standardization of the sport. As a U.S.-licensed attorney specializing in international and sports governance, she works with the federation and stakeholders worldwide on organizational structure, policy, partnerships, tournament development, and more. She is also the co-founder of both Pickleball UC by KONDOR in Santiago, Chile, one of the most recognized pickleball clubs in South America, and KONDOR Pickleball.

Kevan Carpenter

CEO

Commercial Floor Resources, llc

Kevan Carpenter is Vice President of Commercial Floor Resources, LLC, where he has led operations since 2010, specializing in commercial flooring solutions for national retail brands across the United States and the Caribbean. With extensive experience in construction and interior systems, he oversees large-scale projects including new store installations, remodels, flooring refreshes, and national concept rollouts, delivering turnkey solutions in commercial floor covering and polished concrete. Prior to joining Commercial Floor Resources, he served as Vice President at Southeastern Interior Systems for more than a decade, building deep expertise in construction and project management. He studied Construction Management at Southern Polytechnic State University and Polymer Chemistry at North Carolina State University.

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

Brian Cartier

Construction Manager/Owner's Representative

PickleRage

Experienced Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the retail construction and maintenance industry. Strong program and project management professional skilled in Retail, Renovation, Construction, Franchising and Retail Site Selection.

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.

Virgil Christian

Racquet Sports Development Strategist

The Yardley Group

Virgil Christian is one of the most influential voices in racquet sports facility development, having contributed to more than 2,000 racquet sport projects and over 100 collegiate tennis venues nationwide. During his 15-year tenure as Senior Director of Facility Development and Collegiate Tennis at the USTA, he led the design and execution of transformational projects across the country. He spearheaded the development of the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, the $100 million “Home of American Tennis,” and played a key role in shaping the adjacent Sports Performance and Innovation District, catalyzing nearly half a billion dollars in related development. Virgil also established capital programs and performance metrics for the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open. A former collegiate and professional player and coach, Virgil brings a rare blend of competitive insight and large-scale development expertise. His work has consistently advanced racquet sports as both a participation and spectator experience, helping shape venues that elevate players, engage communities, and support long-term growth.

Steph Chung

Managing Partner

Racquet

Steph Chung is Managing Partner of Racquet, where she leads strategy, partnerships, and international expansion as the company grows into a global brand at the intersection of tennis and culture. She also oversees Racquet Clubhouse, the company's multi-sport retail and e-commerce platform. Prior to joining Racquet, she spent over a decade in investing and corporate development, serving as Senior Director of M&A / Corporate Development at Fanatics, Inc. and previously as a Vice President at Blackstone Group. She began her career at BlackRock, focusing on credit investments across technology, media, and telecommunications. A graduate of The Wharton School, she combines deep investment expertise with a lifelong passion for racquet sports — she is currently the U.S. #1 in Racketlon (tennis, squash, table tennis, and badminton) and competes in padel — bringing both business acumen and firsthand athletic experience to everything she builds.n

Dany Colacicco

Owner

PickleCall

I began my career by building a successful real estate company, where I learned that consistent customer interaction powered by the right systems drives sustainable growth.In 2024, I shifted my focus to the fast-growing sport of pickleball and opened Dill Dinkers White Marsh, an indoor facility serving players of all levels. Through that experience, I discovered a key insight: while digital marketing generates leads, real conversions happen through real conversations.That realization led to the creation of Pickle Call, a service that blends human connection with data-driven insights to help clubs turn leads into members — one genuine conversation at a time.

Scott Colebourne

Executive Director and CEO

United States Padel Association

Scott Colebourne is the Executive Director and CEO of the United States Padel Association (USPA). With twenty years of experience in the racquet sports industry, he leads efforts to grow padel across America through strategic partnerships, digital innovation, and grassroots development. Scott is passionate about building padel's future in the US and creating opportunities for players at all levels.

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.

Kike Diaz

Product Manager in Competitive Play & Progression

Playtomic

Got it! Here’s the revised bio with the correct title:nn---nnDaniel Díaz is Product Manager for Competitive Play & Progression at Playtomic, where he leads the development of tools and systems to enhance competitive structures, player pathways, and skill progression across the platform’s global racquet sports ecosystem. With extensive experience in product management at companies including Adevinta, LIFULL Connect, and SamyRoad, Daniel combines technical expertise, data-driven insights, and strategic leadership to create impactful, scalable solutions that improve player engagement and club operations. He holds an engineering degree from Universidad Simón Bolívar and a master’s in Business Administration from EUDE.

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.

Daniel Dios

Director

WME Sports Padel

Daniel Dios Zetterlind is a seasoned racquet sports executive and strategist with deep roots in both the business and cultural development of padel. He currently co-leads the padel division at WME Sports | IMG, where he drives global brand partnerships and strategic growth initiatives in one of the fastest-expanding sports in the world. Previously CEO of PadelTrainer, an international platform supporting club operations, coaching, and sponsorship strategy, Daniel has decades of experience developing business models, international sales, and sports ecosystem development across Europe and beyond. A former professional tennis and padel player, he brings a unique blend of competitive insight, global industry experience, and commercial expertise to his work advancing the sport’s global footprint.

Timothy Donaghy

Former NBA Referee, Author

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Tim Donaghy is a former American professional basketball referee who officiated in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 13 seasons from 1994 to 2007, working hundreds of regular-season and playoff games. His career came to an abrupt end amid a high-profile federal investigation into an illegal betting scandal in which he admitted to placing wagers on games he officiated and sharing inside information, leading to his resignation and a 15-month prison sentence in 2008. He is the author of the memoir Personal Foul: A First-Person Account of the Scandal that Rocked the NBA, in which he details his experiences inside professional basketball and the events surrounding the controversy.n

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.

Bradley Feiner

Account Executive

GoTab

Bradley Feiner is a sales and business development professional with more than two decades of experience helping technology companies grow through strategic partnerships and enterprise solutions. He currently serves as an Account Executive at GoTab, where he works with hospitality and venue operators to implement modern point-of-sale and commerce platforms. Prior to this role, he was a Territory Account Executive at Toast, supporting restaurants and hospitality businesses with integrated technology solutions. His background also includes senior roles at ActivePipe and Transactly, where he focused on enterprise sales and client strategy in real estate and marketing technology. Bradley began his career in digital marketing and account strategy with Union Street Media and holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Marketing from Augustana College. Known for his consultative approach, he specializes in helping businesses adopt technology that improves operations, customer engagement, and revenue growth.n

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. His 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.

David Fox

Founder & CEO

SaveMyPlay

David is a startup founder, technologist and software engineer with over 15 years of experience and has led engineering teams at leading tech companies like Adobe. As an avid table tennis, tennis, and pickleball player, David created Save My Play which has brought cutting-edge AI video recording hardware and software to sports facilities, players, and coaches worldwide. He’s also passionate about discussing and collaborating on pushing the boundaries of how we can use technology in sports to enhance player experiences while making the technology accessible to almost any facility or club.

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.

Jason Frankel

Partner

Mainsail Partners

Jason is a Partner at Mainsail Partners. He leads and manages investments for the firm and currently sits on a variety of vertical software and technology companies, including CourtReserve. Mainsail invested $54 million in CourtReserve in late 2025.

Randy Futti

Executive Vice President

Putterman Athletics

Randy is the Executive Vice President for Putterman Athletics. He has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of the courts construction, court surfacing and the associates supply business. 20 years with Har-Tru, 10 years in the acrylic and modular surfacing space and the last 4 in his current role. Randy has been heavily involved with the American Sports Builders Association as well. Having spent over a decade on their board of directors, as well as other committees, task forces and the USTA/ASBA Tennis Courts book joint editorial board. He is currently the lead volunteer for the USAP/ASBA Pickleball book committee which started around 8 or 9 years ago. A regular speaker at Racquet Sport Events, Randy has been named the 2016 RSi Magazine Tennis Service person of the year and was just awarded the 2025 ASBA Game Changer Product of the Year for the development of the sound absorbing pickleball safety pad product called AcoutiPad. Two of the top awards in our field. He currently resides in Crozet, VA where he lives with his wife Laura of 26 years, their two daughters and their two Labrador Retrievers.

Glenn Gara

President

1st Source Lighting

I have been a lighting specialist for 38 years and have been the owner of 1st Source Lighting since 1993. We specialize in creating lighting fixtures tailored to specific applications; our approach is not universally applicable. For example, we design our lighting fixtures around the pickleball court, not the entire area. Some of our other applications include the Golden Gate Bridge main span. The NIF site at Lawrence Livermore National Lab is one of our other applications. We also provided lighting to the Port Authority NYC Times Square bus and parking terminal. Additionally, we provided lighting to all of the Sportstime facilities located in the greater NYC area. This includes the John McEnroe tennis event complex at Randall's Island.

Meredith Geiger-Walton

Director of Racquet Sports

Austin Country Club

I am passionate about building the future of the racquet sports industry through leadership, collaboration, and culture-driven team development. My work focuses on recruiting and mentoring talented professionals, creating clear pathways for career growth, and building environments where teams and communities can thrive. Known as a connector and industry innovator, I believe the greatest strength of any program lies in its people. By fostering collaboration, empowering professionals, and cultivating strong relationships with members, I aim to elevate both the professional experience and the member experience. With a foundation as a teaching professional and high-performance coach, I bring a deep understanding of the athlete, the professional, and the operational side of racquet sports. This perspective allows me to lead with both strategic vision and practical experience while continuing to contribute to the growth and evolution of a multi-racquet sports 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.

Josh Goodman

Founder & CEO

PourMyBeer

I started a business in an industry I had no prior experience in because I realized the process of getting beverages (alcoholic + non-alcoholic) could improve. We've effectively taken what is typically a 5-7 step process to get a drink to a 1-2 step process. In 2015, the company was just me, since then we've doubled in size year over year and we're opening an average of 10 new locations a month. With over 7,000 self pour taps globally, we've positioned ourselves as the industry leader in a space that continues to grow. Seeing new and current customers execute the self-pour concept is a beautiful site. Their customers love it and they do too, because they're not selling a product anymore, they're selling an experience.

Jorge Guerrero

Co-Founder

PlayKout

Strategic and results-driven executive with a proven track record of driving transformative growth, operational excellence, and financial performance.Expert in developing and executing high-impact strategies that align with organizational goals, delivering measurable outcomes across diverse industries, including SaaS, HaaS, and sports-tech. Visionary leader with a talent for designing and scaling innovative solutions to address complex, unresolved market needs. Known for accelerating revenue growth, enhancing customer retention, and fostering a culture of integrity, agility, and compliance. Skilled negotiator with strong communication and public relations abilities, adept at building lasting partnerships and securing high-stakes deals.Recognized Board Member with extensive leadership experience across U.S. and Latin American subsidiaries, contributing strategic oversight and operational guidance to drive sustained success.

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.

Aaron Hasnai

Founder

Padel N9NE

Aaron Hasnain is the Founder of Padel N9NE, a premium padel concept redefining the sport through design, community, and elevated performance. As creators and operators of meticulously crafted clubs, Padel N9NE blends sophistication with purpose — delivering a modern, elevated padel experience. Its flagship club, located in the heart of San Diego, spans over 100,000 square feet of world-class courts and premium wellness facilities, setting a new benchmark for the sport in the United States. A seasoned entrepreneur, Aaron has spent the majority of his career in the healthcare sector, founding and scaling multiple companies across various industries. He currently serves as Vice President of Business Development & Alliance Management at Gossamer Bio (Nasdaq: GOSS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on addressing significant unmet medical needs. Aaron earned his B.A. in Communication from the University of California, Santa Barbara

Jennifer Hebrock

VP, U.S. Growth & Club Development

Mindspring Padel

Jennifer Hebrock is a senior operator and growth executive with over a decade of leadership across sports clubs, hospitality, real estate development, and investment-backed businesses. She serves as Vice President, U.S. Growth & Club Development at MindSpring Padel, leading U.S. market expansion and partnering with operators on facility development, capital-aligned growth, and long-term scalability. Jennifer brings an operator-first, execution-driven perspective informed by hands-on experience supporting pickleball and padel clubs nationwide through pre-opening, operational design, membership strategy, and successful market launches.

Hans Helmers

Partner

InvestTrek Capital

Hans grew up in the tennis business, and played competitively in junior and college tennis. Professionally, Hans has a deep background in Marketing, Strategy, and Operations across a variety of industries. He has spent the last two years investing in U.S. padel and multi-sport clubs with InvestTrek Capital.

Liz Hetzer

Territory Manager, Mid-Atlantic region

Joola

Liz Hetzer is a relationship‑driven sales pro who's spent her career working with some of the biggest names in sports and pickleball industry, including Nike, New Balance, Selkirk, and JOOLA. She loves connecting with people, championing products she believes in, and helping brands stand out in a crowded marketplace. Liz got her start at Nike in the company’s groundbreaking Retail Merchandising program, as a Field Merchandiser in Washington, D.C. before advancing to the role of Merchandising Manager for the East Region. There, she helped elevate in‑store execution, strengthen retail partnerships, and bring Nike’s brand vision to life working with retailers across the East coast. Before entering the industry, Liz competed as a collegiate tennis player at the University of New Hampshire, where she played both singles and doubles and developed the competitive spark that still drives her today. Energetic, customer‑focused, and sports‑obsessed, Liz thrives in roles where she can build trust, bring products to life, and create genuine value for partners.n

Declan Hill

Associate Professor of Investigations

Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science University of New Haven

Declan Hill is an Associate Professor of Investigations at the University of New Haven and an internationally recognized authority on organized crime and corruption in sport. He is the bestselling author of The Fix, which chronicles his infiltration of a global match-fixing network and helped catalyze dozens of national police investigations, and The Insider's Guide to Match-Fixing in Football, a practical manual for sports and government officials on preventing corruption. His forthcoming book, Birds of Prey: The Real World of Sports Gambling, further explores the global betting ecosystem.nnBefore entering academia, Hill was an investigative journalist and news presenter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, reporting internationally on organized crime, human rights abuses, and corruption. His work has appeared in major media outlets worldwide, and he has testified before legislative bodies including the European Parliament, the UK Parliament, and the U.S. Congress. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford and speaks multiple languages.n

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.

Christy Howden

CEO & Co-Founder

Wolverine Pickleball

Christy is an entrepreneur and pickleball community leader based in Michigan, serving as Co-Owner and CEO of Wolverine Pickleball LLC, a club that organizes clinics, mixers, leagues, tournaments, and other programming throughout Southeastern Michigan. She is also Co-Founder of Northville Pickleball Club, continuing to expand opportunities for players and grow the sport in the region. In addition to her work in pickleball, she is the owner of TaDaa! Studio, a premium crafting supply and workshop studio she founded in 2006. Earlier in her career, she held procurement, planning, and business analysis roles at Jabil Circuit. She holds an MBA from University of Michigan–Dearborn and a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Sociology from University of Michigan, and was selected for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program in Detroit.n

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.

Britt Ivy

US Business Development

Playtomic

Britt Ivy is the Head of Business Development for the US & Canada at Playtomic, the global racquet sports technology platform used by thousands of clubs and millions of players worldwide. With nearly two decades of experience in sports business and growth strategy, she leads Playtomic’s efforts to expand its footprint in North America, build partnerships with clubs and multi-sport venues, and drive adoption of digital tools that help operators optimize bookings, leagues, and player engagement. Britt is a recognized voice in racquet sports tech, regularly speaking on industry panels about how technology and community intersect to support club success and sport growth.

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.

Courtney Jenkins

Owner

Armory Pickleball

During the pandemic, Courtney discovered (and fell in love with) Pickleball and after playing for a couple of years, she opened Armory Pickleball in an old armory building in Bellingham Washington, in 2022. Since then she has picked up two struggling pickleball businesses and continued them forward in Ellensburg and Marysville, Washington. A fourth location is also in progress for opening. Courtney focuses on a community-first business model and thrives in a keyless entry model to keep staffing lower.

Curt Johnson

Senior Director, Marketing and Sales

ToDo Robotics

At ToDo Robotics, Curt works with sports, hospitality and industrial owners to lower operational costs through cleaning and delivery robotics and automation. As an NCAA student-athlete in baseball, Curt has been around multiple sports and facilities his entire life, dating back to maintaining his own high school facilities -- racquet courts, basketball, and baseball fields -- 30 minutes from the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa. Curt lives in Alpharetta, GA with his wife Polly and German-shorthaired pointers Sampson and Snickers. His daughter Lexie is another kind of DAWG as a senior at U. of Georgia.

David Johnson

CEO & Co-Founder

IAPPF

David Johnson is an internationally recognized pioneer and leader in the pickleball industry. He co-founded Pickleball Central in 2006 at the dawn of the modern day pickleball renaissance. David built the company into the largest pickleball retailer, and led the acquisition of pickleball Tournaments and Pickleball Inc. while leading Pickleball Central to tens of millions of dollars in sales annually before selling the company to Dundan Capital, owner and operator of the PPA Tour, Major League Pickleball, Pickleball Brackets and other related companies. A serial entrepreneur with decades of success in technology and other industries, David also co-founded and operated Pickleball Station – one of the first permanent pickleball facilities in the world. He is currently the founder and publisher of the industry leading The Business of Pickleball newsletter.

Gina Johnston

President

Pickleball Bella

Experienced branding and licensing executive with a demonstrated history of working in the consumer goods industry. Skilled in Consumer Products, Brand Development, Retail, Sales, Account Management, Marketing, Financial Analysis, Creative Development and Visual Merchandising. Strong legal professional with a Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA focused in Business Administration, Management and Retail from Lasell University. Adept at growing partner relationships and working with major accounts, including top-destination theme parks and resorts, to develop and implement retail programs for multiple branded product categories. Skilled in project management with proven history of successful execution of varied marketing and branding initiatives.

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.

Tim Keightley

CEO

Center Court Pickleball Club

Tim brings over 25 years of transformative leadership in the health and wellness industry. Renowned for igniting brand growth and optimizing operational efficiencies, Tim has driven IPO successes and improved key performance metrics across global corporations and independent franchises. Tim brings a relentless pursuit of excellence and a philosophy of "People Focused, Performance Driven" to Center Court Pickleball. His leadership fosters empowerment and innovation, ensuring exceptional experiences for members and the Center Court team. With international experience across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, Tim has revitalized brands and led initiatives at Fitness First UK, Town Sports International, and Gold’s Gym International. As a former professional golfer and as the personal trainer to a former heavyweight champion of the world, he advocates for sports' transformative power and is dedicated to enhancing the pickleball experience and inspiring communities to play for life.

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

Lisa Kerns

Principal

GTF Consultants

A seasoned professional in retail development, Lisa brings over three decades of leadership experience from her tenure at Starbucks Coffee Company. Known for her ability to thrive in high-growth and ambiguous settings, she has spent her career navigating the complexities of global store development, retail real estate, and construction. Lisa is a specialist in transforming "the unknown" into actionable strategy, having led diverse teams across the globe to execute aggressive portfolio growth while maintaining the highest standards of innovation. Lisa is a dedicated advocate for fostering a culture of continuous growth, believing that solving the toughest problems requires both cross-functional collaboration and a commitment to unlocking the full potential of every individual.

Josh Kerns

Chief Marketing and Member Officer

IAPPF

Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award-winning reformed journalist with extensive experience in strategic communications, marketing, event production and management. Offering a full suite of turn-key services ranging including media relations, social media, video and audio production, web design and administration and more. Current and past partners/clients include Fearey Group, Pallet Shelter, Microsoft, Amazon, T-Mobile, Boeing, Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance, University of Washington Medicine, 5G Open Innovation Lab and many others. Public Relations Society of America member.

Tom Konkowski

CEO

Conquer Franchise Group, LLC

Tom Konkowski is a veteran financial professional, entrepreneur, and consultant with decades of experience in wealth management, investment strategy, and financial services leadership. Over the course of his career, he led a team of financial professionals at a major credit union, building its wealth division into a leading platform for the largest independent broker-dealer in the United States. In 2009, he founded Vista Wealth Network, a firm integrating investment, tax, legal, estate, and insurance services, which he successfully grew before selling in 2020. Today, Tom advises companies on monetizing their practices and raising capital through Regulation D and private equity markets, while promoting a holistic philosophy he calls “Being Rich in More Than Money.” He holds a Master of Science in Financial Services and multiple professional designations, and is the author of *Financial Life Management*. An Arizona native, Tom is also active in his community and the pickleball world as a certified instructor and ambassador, and enjoys golf, pickleball, and traveling with his family.n

Chris Kostoulas

Founder

At Fault & Reunion

Chris Kostoulas is the co-founder of At Fault, a Dallas based pickleball eatertainment venue blending sports, food, and social play, and the founder of Reunion, a SaaS platform modernizing private events for hospitality operators. Previously, he co-founded Peek, a real estate technology platform focused on improving the touring and leasing experience, and was an early employee at Uber where he spent 6 years.

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.

Cameron Linder

CEO

Pickleball Insurance Program

Cameron Linder is the CEO of a second generation family owned, specialty insurance company that is the largest insurer of bowling centers and pickleball clubs in the nation. A graduate of the US Air Force Academy and former Air Force Officer, Cameron brings passion, expertise, and creativity to an industry that tends to lack it. Over the last 10 years under Cameron's leadership, the company has grown 400% and employs a team over more than 30 people across the nation.

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.

Alex Luscher

Director of Operations

Ballers

Alex Luscher is a behavioral scientist, science communicator, and racquet sports enthusiast with expertise spanning squash, pickleball, and padel. He is currently Director of Operations at Ballers, where he helps elevate the club experience through technology, operations, and community engagement. With a background in research and UX, Alex has contributed to behavioral studies at The Wharton School and Bard College, exploring self-regulation, health behaviors, and user-centered product design. Passionate about optimizing sleep, nutrition, exercise, and overall wellbeing, he combines his scientific knowledge with a love for sports to create experiences that promote performance and balance. A dual citizen of Switzerland and the U.S., he enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures, and staying engaged with podcasts on science, entrepreneurship, and health, while continuing to push the boundaries of tech-enabled, community-focused sports experiences.

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.

Brandon Martinez

Founder

Baseline Partners

Brandon is a digital pioneer, serial entrepreneur, and former music executive known for blending technology, culture, and high-end marketing to drive brand recognition and public engagement. With a customer-centric approach, he has built end-to-end solutions, established long-term networks, and created collaborative business opportunities across media, tech, and entertainment. His career highlights include directing the monetization of the “Harlem Shake” meme, exiting INDMUSIC to Live Nation, and being selected for Snapchat’s Yellow accelerator and XRC Labs Elevate Fellowship. A media-trained public speaker, he has presented at SXSW, CES, VidCon, and Music Biz, and has been featured in Forbes, Wired, Billboard, and Time. Actively involved in entrepreneurial and social impact communities such as Friends with Benefits, OnDeck Founder Fellowship, and the Schusterman Foundation, he continues to innovate at the intersection of technology, culture, and business.

Rommie Maxey

PBCC Owner , Co- Owner NPL Houston Hammers, BOD - NCPA, Vair Advisor

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Entrepreneur, Keynote speaker, Co- Owner - NPL Houston Hammers , Co- owner multiple indoor facilities , BOD - NCPA, Vair rating advisor, trained over 14k players, CEO - No Mercy Pickleball, International trainer . 6 Time National Champion - runner-up.

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.

Jhonnathan Medina Álvarez

Professional Pickleball Player | Coach | Author | NOX Brand Ambassador

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Jhonnathan Medina Álvarez is a professional pickleball player, coach, and author, and a former ATP tennis professional and Venezuelan Davis Cup player. A former Top 3 singles competitor on the APP Tour, he earned five medals in 2023, highlighted by a gold medal at the APP Atlanta Open. nMedina is a multiple-time international champion and DUPR National Gold Medalist in Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Spain. He captured gold and silver at the 2024 European Championships in Spain and continued his success in 2025 with a singles gold medal at the Indian Open and multiple podium finishes on the PPA Challenger Tour. Currently ranked #1 in Virginia (USA) and Venezuela, he has recorded notable victories over top professional players including Yates Johnson, Hunter Johnson, Jack Sock, Pablo Téllez, Ryan Sherry, Chris Haworth, and Jaume Martínez Vich. Off the court, Jhonnathan is the author of Results Generate Results and co-host of the Spanish-language pickleball podcast “Línea de Fondo.”

Scott Miller

CEO

PICKLETILE™

Scott Miller is the Founder and CEO of PICKLETILE™, the Official Court Builder of USA Pickleball and creator of the PICKLEGLASS™ acoustic glass system. He leads the company’s innovation in premium sports infrastructure, advancing the design, engineering, and technology of modern racquet facilities.

Patricio Misitrano

CEO

Racket Social Club

Patricio is a racquet sports entrepreneur and industry leader with more than two decades of experience driving the growth of tennis, padel, pickleball, and platform tennis in the United States. He currently serves as CEO of Racket Social Club, is Founder and CEO of Misitrano Consulting, and co-founded The Sports Haus, where he previously served as Chief Sports Officer. Throughout his career, he has helped develop innovative racquet sports facilities, advised entrepreneurs and investors, and built strategic partnerships across the industry. Known for connecting leaders and ideas within the racquet sports ecosystem, he focuses on helping organizations launch new venues, scale businesses, and create vibrant spaces where communities can connect, grow, and thrive through sport.

Dave Mowrey

Founder & CEO

IONSport

Dave Mowrey is a seasoned technology executive, entrepreneur, and investor with deep expertise spanning SaaS, broadcast and streaming video, sports technology, and data-driven media. As Founder and CEO of IONSport, he’s redefining racquet sports through connected data, immersive fan experiences, and next-generation engagement platforms.nBefore launching IONSport, Dave served as General Manager of IBM Watson Media, where he oversaw a portfolio of AI-based SaaS businesses spanning OTT, enterprise streaming, and computer vision platforms. His leadership included the integration of the Clearleap and Ustream acquisitions, driving significant revenue and EBITDA growth through AI innovation, go-to-market transformation, and M&A activity.nEarlier in his career, Dave was Chief Product Officer at Clearleap, a SaaS video platform startup acquired by IBM in 2015, and held senior product leadership roles at Yahoo!, where he launched multiple high-growth B2B and B2C products.nAn active startup advisor and investor, Dave partners with early-stage companies in online media, video, and emerging technologies to help them achieve product-market fit, accelerate growth, and scale effectively.

Mike Nealy

CEO

USA Pickleball

Mike Nealy is Chief Executive Officer of USA Pickleball, the national governing body for the sport in the United States, where he oversees the organization’s strategy, membership growth, rules and equipment standards, and the continued expansion of pickleball nationwide. A longtime sports industry executive, Nealy previously spent eight years as Executive Director of the Arizona Sports Foundation, which operates the Fiesta Bowl, helping elevate the event’s national profile and community impact. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles in the National Hockey League, including serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Phoenix Coyotes and working with the Minnesota Wild. With decades of experience across professional sports organizations and major events, Nealy now leads USA Pickleball during a period of unprecedented growth for the sport.

Ben Nichols

Founder & CEO

Padel22

Ben is a leading strategic sports communications and international relations professional whose career has taken him from the UK to the U.S. and the UAE to Canada. An entrepreneurial figure, he has a proven track record of success for the world’s top sports series, leagues, events, teams, leaders, athletes, brands and media.nnMost notably, Ben ran Media Relations for WADA during ‘the biggest sporting crisis of the 21st century’ –the Russian Doping Scandal. By the age of 26, Ben was overseeing Communications for the award-winning ATP and WTA Dubai Tennis Championships. This was followed by senior roles at F1 team Lotus Renault GP and the Commonwealth Games Federation. He has since become an expert in the world of padel by working at the Premier Padel Paris Major at Roland Garros, and then leading PR for the GB Padel Team at the FIP World Padel Championships.nnIn October 2022, Ben established Padel 22 to build “brand padel” across the world’s emerging padel economies – what he has coined the New Padel World. Ben has featured in the ‘World’s Top 50 Padel Influencers’. Today, he is the leading PR and Communications figure in the international padel movement.

Katie Nimitz

President

MyJourney Technologies

Katie Nimitz is the President of MyJourney Technologies, leading MyJourney Pickleball, the team behind DUPR Coach and the My DUPR Coach app, which powers Coach-Assigned DUPR ratings. She drives innovation and growth, building scalable technology solutions that empower coaches, elevate player experiences, increase club revenue, and expand engagement across communities. Under her leadership, DUPR Coach has grown to over 2,000 coaches in 25 countries, supporting more than 21,000 players in earning their DUPR ratings. While her work spans multiple sports industries, including initiatives like the Swing Index in TaylorMade’s TaylorMade Golf app and MyJourney Soccer with Alex Morgan, Katie is especially passionate about scaling and growing the sport of pickleball, creating meaningful opportunities for players, coaches, and clubs.

Sergio Ortiz

Houston Volts Founder & Owner

AFP Courts TX CEO

Sergio Ortiz is a U.S.-based padel executive, investor, and exclusive distributor of AFP Courts, leading the expansion of adidas-branded padel court systems in Texas and across the United States. As a publicly identified founder + owner of the Houston Volts in the Pro Padel League and former President of the United States Padel Association, he has played a central role in advancing professional standards, strengthening coaching education, and elevating facility development nationwide. His work spans professional competition, national governance, and, more importantly, youth development initiatives and large-scale infrastructure development, positioning him as a key figure driving padel’s evolution in the U.S. market.

Bobbi Oshiro

Pro Pickleball Player

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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.

Brian Parkkonen

Senior Director, Tennis Industry Outreach & Engagement

USTA Coaching

Brian brings deep experience in tennis industry leadership and coach development, with a career focused on building strong ecosystems that support coaches, players, and long-term participation in the sport. His background spans education, operations, and facility leadership, including 13 years with the Professional Tennis Registry, where he served as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Education, helping shape global education strategy. Passionate about player development, Brian began his career at the Van der Meer Tennis Academy before holding leadership roles across major public and private tennis facilities. At USTA Coaching, his work centers on strengthening industry relationships and advancing initiatives that elevate coaching standards nationwide. He is a long-time contributor to the USTA and has served on multiple committees at the state and section levels, guided by a belief that great coaching creates pathways for impact far beyond the court.n

Patty Paschke

Founder

Hot Shots Pickleball Club

Patty Paschke is Co Founder and Owner of Hot Shots Pickleball Club, where she serves as the driving strategist behind its innovative hybrid community model. Blending executive vision with operational discipline and data informed decision making, she has led the development of an integrated concept that unites premier pickleball, hospitality, retail, dynamic programming, and a self serve tap wall into one cohesive and scalable experience. Known for her ability to execute efficiently and move complex initiatives from vision to launch on accelerated timelines, her work centers on smart growth, meaningful partnerships, and building systems that elevate both performance and guest experience. With a background in business strategy and large scale performance improvement initiatives, Patty brings deep expertise in process design, quality frameworks, and measurable outcomes across complex organizations. She approaches entrepreneurship with rigor, accountability, and a long term infrastructure mindset, positioning Hot Shots as more than a club, but a replicable blueprint for the future of hybrid recreational communities where sport, wellness, and connection thrive together.n

Simon Pearson

Groups Racquet Manager

David Lloyd

Simon is a United Kingdom–based racquets industry leader with more than 25 years of coaching and commercial expertise. A seasoned coach and internationally sought-after speaker, he specialises in operating and scaling multi-site racquets facilities across padel, tennis, pickleball, squash, and badminton. He is a particular expert in developing racquets products and programmes that have consistently accelerated growth and increased participation—blending commercial insight with on-court credibility to create offerings that drive both revenue and retention. His work sits at the intersection of sport, leadership, and commercial strategy—helping organisations grow sustainably while elevating coaching standards and player experience at every level In his current role at David Lloyd Clubs, Europe’s leading premium health and wellness group, Simon oversees the racquets product spanning more than 1,600 courts and engaging more than 1,000 coaches in 121 clubs.

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

Claudio Pistolesi

Coach

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Claudio Pistolesi is a former professional tennis player and highly respected international coach. As a player, he was ITF World Junior Champion, achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 71 and won an ATP title in Bari, also representing Italy in the Davis Cup. Since turning to coaching in 1996, Pistolesi has guided numerous ATP and WTA players — including Robin Söderling, Daniela Hantuchová, Simone Bolelli, Ai Sugiyama and Davide Sanguinetti — to some of their best career results. He has held leadership roles such as ATP Coaches’ Representative on the ATP Player Council, served as director of major professional training programs, and contributes to tennis education globally through writing, commentary, and his work with the Global Professional Tennis Coach Association (GPTCA)

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.

Rene Prats

Head of Development

Diadem

As a co-founder of PlayerU, I leverage my expertise in business and management to develop and implement AI algorithms that provide accurate player ratings and personalized tips for skill enhancement. I am passionate about creating innovative solutions that improve the gaming experience for players and the sports industry as a whole. In addition to my role at PlayerU, I also serve as the Head of Development at Diadem Sports, where I am involved in the development of corporate and licensed pickleball complexes globally.

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

Felix Regalia

Founder & CEO

Varlion

Félix Regalia, is the founder of Varlion and a pioneering entrepreneur in the global padel industry. A lifelong sports enthusiast with a passion for padel and tennis, he began his career at Bunge & Born, and later on moved to Molinos Río de la Plata. In 1993, he founded Varlion with the vision of creating a leading Argentine sports brand capable of competing with global giants such as Adidas, Nike, and Puma. After overcoming early financial challenges, he expanded into Spain, then the emerging epicenter of padel, where Varlion became synonymous with innovation and high-performance design, manufacturing premium rackets not only for its own brand but also for major industry players. Under his leadership, Varlion achieved over 40% market share in Spain, opened 17 exclusive stores, and built international production capabilities across Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia. Following a period of restructuring and global expansion, Félix relaunched Varlion in 2025 with a renewed strategic vision, reaffirming his position as one of the sport’s most influential innovators.

Mark Renneson

President, Pickleball Coaching International

Selkirk Sport

Mark is a world renowned pickleball coach and coach educator. He is the President of Pickleball Coaching International (PCI), which is an industry-leading instructor education program. PCI was acquired by Selkirk Sport in 2024.

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.

Denise Richards

Co-Founder/COO

Dill Dinkers

3 1/2 Years ago I started Dill Dinkers with my husband Will. Since then I have assisted in opening 27 clubs across the US with many more to come this year. I love sharing my experiences and what we have learned along the way.

Matt Rineberg

VP of Sales

PICKLETILE™

Matt Rineberg is the Vice President of Sales at PICKLETILE™, where he leads national growth initiatives, strategic partnerships, and client engagement across the company’s expanding portfolio of premium court and glass infrastructure projects.

Ilya Rivkin

Cofounder and CTO

PodPlay

Ilya Rivkin is Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of PodPlay Technologies, a sports technology platform that helps clubs operate and manage racquet-sports venues through integrated software, automation, and digital experiences such as reservations, payments, scoreboards, and video replay. He also serves as CTO of PingPod Inc., where he leads product and engineering for the technology originally developed to power PingPod’s autonomous table-tennis venues and later expanded into a vertical SaaS platform used by pickleball and multi-sport facilities. Before entering the sports tech space, Rivkin was Head of Mobile at Goldman Sachs, where he helped scale major fintech products including Marcus, and previously held leadership roles building high-profile consumer apps such as Nike+ Running and the Equinox App while at the digital agency R/GA. With a background in large-scale mobile product development and a degree in Electrical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology, Rivkin brings deep expertise in building technology platforms that power modern, tech-enabled sports and recreation experiences.

Andres Robelo

CEO & Founder

Playbypoint

Andres Robelo founded Playbypoint in 2016 and continues to lead as its CEO. Playbypoint is a leading technology platform revolutionizing racquet sports with seamless club management and payment solutions. With a passion for innovation, Andres is committed to transforming pickleball, padel, and tennis through technology.

Victor Ruiz Fernandez

Operations and Business Development

Reserve

Victor Ruiz Fernandez is a sports industry executive and entrepreneur with extensive international experience in operations, business development, and event management across the global racquet sports ecosystem. Currently leading Operations and Business Development at Reserve in Miami, he has spent more than two decades working on some of the world’s premier sporting events, including the Mutua Madrid Open, Miami Open, China Open, and Qatar ExxonMobil Open. He also served as Tournament Director of the WTA Thailand Open and held leadership roles managing major ATP and WTA events in Asia, while representing tournaments on the Women’s Tennis Association Tournament Council. A lawyer and economist by training, Victor is known for his entrepreneurial mindset and global perspective, having worked across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the United States to develop events, partnerships, and innovative initiatives in the sports industry.n

Jose Luis Sanz Fernandez

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.

Derek Sawer

Director of Experience

Racket Professional Organization (RPO)

Derek serves as the Director of Experience for the Racket Professional Organization (RPO), a leading global authority in pickleball coach education and professional development. At RPO, he leads efforts to design and elevate engaging experiences for coaches, clinicians, and RPO members, shaping environments that connect community, expertise, and growth. RPO’s mission is to raise coaching standards worldwide and support professionals with cutting-edge curriculum, industry collaboration, and real-world tools that strengthen coach effectiveness and player development. In this role, Derek focuses on forging strategic partnerships, enhancing member engagement, and bringing innovative programming to life. With a passion for both people and the sport, he ensures every participant leaves inspired, informed, and equipped to make a meaningful impact in the pickleball coaching community.

TJ Schier

CEO

SmashSwing

Carl Schmits

CTO

USA Pickleball

Carl Schmits is Chief Technical Officer of USA Pickleball, the national governing body for pickleball in the United States. In this role, he leads the organization’s technology and standards initiatives, overseeing equipment specifications, testing protocols, facility development guidelines, and research in areas such as performance analytics and acoustics to help ensure fair play and protect the integrity of the sport. He also chairs the Equipment and Evaluation Committee and the ASTM subcommittee focused on pickleball equipment and facilities standards. Schmits brings a diverse background spanning industrial and systems engineering, technology leadership, and product development across sectors including communications technology, medical devices, robotics, and renewable energy. A former high-level racquetball player and coach, he combines decades of technical and sports industry experience to support the continued growth and innovation of pickleball worldwide.

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.

West Shaw

COO

Heleus Holdings / RPO / JDC / StackEleven

West Shaw is the operating partner of Heleus Holdings, a JOOLA-backed venture platform dedicated to building the infrastructure of pickleball's global ecosystem. Heleus operates more like an incubator than a fund — identifying gaps in the sport and building companies that solve them from the ground up. Its current portfolio includes RPO (RacketPro Organization), StackEleven, Johns Design & Consulting, and 150+ Health, with additional ventures in development. Before Heleus, West spent years at the forefront of pickleball facility development and coach advancement, helping launch more than 14 facilities across the U.S. and internationally. He brings nearly a decade of experience in the golf industry, where he founded and successfully exited from multiple brands.

Trevor Short

Founder & CEO

Inspiring Dreams

Trevor Short is a leader in luxury events, high-impact experiences, and philanthropic fundraising with more than 20 years of experience working alongside some of the most recognized names in sports, entertainment, and business. A former Division I tennis player at Middle Tennessee State University from a distinguished tennis family, Trevor founded T&S Events in 2005 before co-founding Premier Live, where he helped build globally renowned pro-am experiences such as the Necker Cup with Sir Richard Branson. In 2023, he launched Inspiring Dreams, now a premier luxury experiential company curating exclusive, one-of-a-kind events and connecting ultra-high-net-worth individuals and global brands with icons including Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, and Kevin Costner. Deeply committed to philanthropy, Trevor integrates charitable impact into his business model, supporting youth mental health initiatives through Inspiring Children and other fundraising efforts worldwide.n

Steve Shpilsky

Founder & CEO

Los Angeles Padel Club

Steve Shpilsky is the founder of Los Angeles Padel Club, the first full-service padel club in Los Angeles, featuring seven courts and a 4,500-square-foot clubhouse. He is helping position LA as a breakout padel market by building a premium, hospitality-driven club designed to elevate the sport and create real community around it.nA real estate entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience, Steve has raised and invested over $250 million in projects totaling more than $750 million in value, including the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills and Hyatt House/Place LAX. He is also co-founder of CaRE, a Los Angeles-based EB-5 regional center with more than 600 investors. Earlier in his career, he worked at PwC in San Francisco and Moscow, specializing in financial diligence and regulatory compliance.nSteve serves as an Adjunct Professor of Hotel Development in the MRED program at the University of Southern California and holds both a BS in Accounting and an MBA from USC. He combines capital markets expertise, hospitality strategy, and entrepreneurial execution to help accelerate the growth of padel in the United States.

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.

Chris Sorrenti

Business Advisor

G&A Partners

HR, Benefits, Payroll and PEO services expert as well as an avid Pickleball player and PPR certified coach.

Steve Stanbury

Lead Product Designer & Founder

Limit Break

I’m a digital product builder working at the intersection of sport, technology, and growth. I’ve helped clubs, venues, and emerging leagues turn ideas into scalable platforms, with deep experience across racquet sports and sports tech. My focus is removing friction from player journeys and building systems that actually operate, not just market.

Paul Starita

Co-Founder & CEO

The Flying Pickle

I’m the co-founder and CEO of The Flying Pickle, a premier indoor pickleball club built around one idea: pickleball is more than just a sport—it’s a social experience. We didn’t set out to create just another set of indoor courts. We built The Flying Pickle to be a community hub, where people come to connect, compete, and stay awhile. Our model combines top-tier pickleball facilities with food, events, and a “play then stay” culture that keeps people coming back. Now we’re franchising—and I’m looking to connect with people who are passionate about building great businesses, love the game, and care about people. If that sounds like you, let’s talk. I’m not big on social media, but I’m here to share what we’re building and meet others doing great things in this space.

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.

Jessica Talbert

Co-Founder

Park Padel

Jessica Talbert started Park Padel in 2023 with her co-founder Neil Chainani and Katie Lampert , which currently has 3 locations in Northern California. Jessica has an MBA from Stanford Business School and has leveraged her experience across companies like Gap, Annheuser-Busch, Lyft, and Chime to create highly user and community centric padel clubs.

Pedro Thormodsen

CPO/CTO

Playtomic

Pedro Thormodsen is Chief Product Officer at Playtomic, the leading global racket sports tech platform that connects players with courts and helps clubs optimize operations through advanced booking and SaaS solutions available in over 60 countries. In his role, Pedro leads product strategy and development, shaping the technology that drives Playtomic’s innovation and growth in the racquet sports industry. He brings extensive experience in product leadership and tech strategy from prior roles at major digital platforms like eBay and Wallapop, combining a user-centric approach with deep expertise in scaling digital products and teams.

Michael Tovar

Track & Padel Director

Mondo USA

Michael Tovar is the Director for NACAC (North America, Central America & Caribbean) at Mondo USA, Inc., where he leads regional strategy and partnerships for track and field surfaces and solutions used in premier athletic competitions. He combines his industry leadership with a strong academic foundation from the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University, bringing both strategic insight and business acumen to his role. In his work with Mondo, Michael supports the expansion of the company’s presence and engagement across major events and athletics communities throughout the NACAC region, helping advance performance and innovation in the sport.

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

Scott Van Kerkhove

CEO

Energywise Solutions

Scott Van Kerkhove is a U.S. Navy veteran, father of three, new grandfather, and CEO of EnergyWise Solutions, a national leader in lighting, controls, and energy infrastructure for multi-unit operators. With nearly two decades of experience, he has helped clients—including Burger King, Taco Bell, Home Depot, Marriott, and Chevron—standardize operations, reduce energy costs, and streamline expansion across hundreds of locations. Under his leadership, EnergyWise Solutions combines energy contracting, project management, controls engineering, commercial lighting design, and national account procurement into a single, strategic partner for growing portfolios in restaurants, hospitality, retail, and sports facilities. A pickleball enthusiast, Scott brings the same focus and dedication to both his business and personal passions, emphasizing service, reliability, and measurable results in every partnership.n

Luke Wade

Founder

Facility Ally

Luke Wade is an Army Veteran and software engineer who turned his passion for community into KC Crew, a social sports phenomenon that has connected over 150,000 participants and generated substantial revenue for local Parks & Rec departments, facilities, and community hubs. Leveraging 14+ years of industry experience, Luke founded Facility Ally, a turnkey business support group that helps sports and entertainment facilities launch and scale. Going beyond standard software, Luke’s team provides a complete ecosystem for facility owners: a dedicated media agency (Media Ally) for branding and paid ads, expert operational consulting, and simplified booking tech. Luke is also a top judge on the entrepreneurship reality show "The Blox," where he has consulted over 500 startups on strategy and growth.

Adam Walace

Regional Account Manager

Selkirk Sport

Wholesale Account Manager. Passionate about pickleball and helping our customers succeed.

Will Walker

President

New Edison Lights

With more than two decades in the LED lighting industry, William Walker has built a career advancing innovative lighting technologies at New Edison Lighting. As a passionate pickleball enthusiast, he identified an opportunity to offer superior court fixtures then was being installed in the new indoor and padel court markets. He leveraged his technical background to bring to market an indoor court fixture with low glare optics that exceeds the highest recommended lighting requirements created by USA Pickleball, and the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA).

John Weinlader

Founder President

Volley

John is an entrepreneur and innovator with a passion for technology, marketing, and racquet sports. He is the Founder and President of Volley, a company dedicated to revolutionizing training in racquet sports. Previously, he founded and led VS Networks, a marketing solutions provider specializing in digital and interactive signage, which was sold to Spectrio in 2019. He also served as President of Superior Tech, Inc., which he grew for over 13 years before its acquisition by Agri-Fab, and CEO of Kaylon Technologies, Inc., developing software applications with tens of thousands of users. With a BS in Engineering Science from Penn State University and an MBA from Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management, he combines technical expertise, strategic vision, and entrepreneurial leadership to drive innovation across industries.n

Ophra Werde

Head of Product

Playbypoint

Ophra is the Head of Product at Playbypoint, bringing 15+ years of experience across consumer and marketplace product to the team and Playbypoint customers. She's currently driving a roadmap focused on elevating both the operator and player experiences, helping turn complex club operations into simple, intuitive, and scalable products.

Chase Wicklund

Founder

StackEleven Marketing

Chase is an entrepreneur and marketing professional specializing in helping businesses grow through digital advertising, branding, and strategic campaigns. He is the founder of StackEleven Marketing, an agency focused on helping pickleball clubs attract customers through paid ads, websites, SMS, email, and graphic design, which was acquihired by JOOLA in 2024. Prior to this, he built and marketed his own independent insurance agency, The Wicklund Agency, developing campaigns that drove thousands of policy sales. He has also held sales and business development roles at Syncari and Invenergy LLC, demonstrating a track record of exceeding quotas, building relationships, and leveraging digital strategies for revenue growth. A Drake University graduate, he also competed for four years on the Division I Men’s Golf Team, combining discipline, strategy, and a results-driven mindset in all his ventures.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

Ryan Wolfington is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, executive producer, and high-performance builder working at the intersection of business, youth mental health, sports, entertainment, and responsible artificial intelligence, focused on scaling human development through timeless psychology and modern technology. Before founding the Inspiring Children Foundation 27 years ago, he built and restructured companies across financial, healthcare, gaming, and technology, leading complex turnarounds and helping guide multiple companies through rapid growth, including two that went public on the NASDAQ, while embedding culture and human development into corporate strategy decades before it became mainstream. At ICF, he created a whole-human performance system built on ten pillars of healing, growth, and high-performance living, helping thousands develop a “Psychology for Life,” with outcomes including approximately 95% remission from symptoms tied to emotional and mental health challenges and 97% earning academic or athletic scholarships. He has produced major national sporting and entertainment events, executive produced award-winning films, co-founded the Not Alone Challenge, Not Alone Summit, Not Alone Awards, and The Wellness Experience, and serves as President of Jewel Inc., partnering with Jewel to build large-scale platforms blending neuroscience, storytelling, performance, and responsible AI, grounded in a conviction that when people master their inner world, sustainable high performance follows.

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.