Earlier this month the U.S. Padel Association (USPA) asked its members to vote on its board of directors of the first time in the history of the organization, and yesterday afternoon USPA President Martin Sweeney revealed the results.
Prior to this historic election, the USPA stated, “This vote marks a significant milestone in our journey towards more inclusive and democratic processes. This year, ten distinguished candidates have stepped forward, ready to commit their experience and passion for padel to the service of our community.”
The USPA further explained, “These individuals are vying for four open positions on the Board to serve a two-year term,” and that “each prospective board member must have served on a USPA committee before standing for election [to] ensure that all candidates have demonstrated their commitment and have a deep understanding of our organization’s workings.”
The newly elected board of directors was revealed to members via an email from Sweeney and includes:
| Alison Withers, living in Texas in the USPA South/Midwest region, has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry and a strong background in executive stakeholder management. Active in the USPA since 2019 and volunteering since 2022, she is committed to enhancing tournament organization and padel facilities and is poised to contribute significantly to the USPA’s vision and strategies. |
Bill Ullman, living in New York in the USPA Northeast region, has extensive experience on various boards, including Van Eck Global, and has secured key corporate sponsors for US Padel Teams as a volunteer on the Team USA Committee. Ullman recently represented the USA at the Pan American Championships. His approach emphasizes consensus building and teamwork, making him well-suited to advance the growth of Padel in the US as a USPA Board member. |
Gabriel Sanchez Iniesta, living in Texas in the South/Midwest region, has had a lifelong passion and dedication to padel. Sanchez Iniesta competes on the Senior circuit and recently represented the USA at the Pan American Championships. He is an active member of the USPA Competition Committee and has assisted in the manual updating of the USPA rankings over the past year. He has held C-level positions professionally, bringing valuable management skills to the board. |
Ron Bobman, living in New York in the USPA Northeast region, has been actively involved in Padel as a player and volunteer, serving on the USPA Team USA Committee in 2023. Bobman recently represented the USA at the Pan Americano Championships. Passionate about the sport, he aims to leverage his professional expertise to enhance various areas of the USPA’s operation, focusing on ethical governance and the sport’s growth. |
Nicolas Clerc, living in Florida in the USPA Southeast Region, is a top-ranked player and coach in the Padel community. His playing, coaching, and managing of Padel events and clubs provides him with unique insights, making him an adaptable and inclusive board member committed to advancing Padel’s growth in line with the USPA’s mission. Clerc recently represented the USA as a coach at the Pan Americano Championships. |
Sweeney added, “I want to encourage you to apply to be on a USPA Committee in 2024. Volunteering on a committee of the USPA is one of the best ways to contribute to the growth of Padel in the USA, and the USPA is stronger because of your support and involvement.”
