USTA Florida President’s Message: Growing Staff, USPTA Partners, New Tennis H.Q.

By Nancy Horowitz, USTA Florida volunteer president

For those of you not aware, June 3rd saw the wonderful groundbreaking ceremony for the future offices of USTA Florida and the national USPTA in the Lake Nona community of Orlando. Spending the weekend together for meetings and celebration helped solidify our true partnership. Each building will be approximately 10,000 square feet and directly next door to each other, adjacent to the USTA National Campus.

Tavistock Development Company Vice President Andy Odenbach started the festivities by letting all know how exciting it is to have both tennis organizations in the Lake Nona Sports & Performance District. He then was gracious introducing Chuck Gill, president of USPTA, who spoke about how together we all grow tennis. The USPTA will be moving their national office from Texas.

Next it was my turn to speak, reviewing for all how we got to this new location, and briefly thinking back to the office in Miami, then North Miami, then Pompano Beach, and currently Daytona Beach and next year Orlando. Being around so long, I want to thank all the past presidents that moved the dial and helped the growth of our association. Sound financial guidance and oversight and progressive collaboration helped us reach this milestone. The future of tennis is exciting for all levels, and for all ages.

Since first partnering to hold semi-annual meetings with the USPTA Florida Division years back, we are excited how relationships have developed and grown. We all are dedicated to promoting and developing tennis for all. It is so evident that through our partnership things have gotten stronger and tennis has been the better for it across the state.

Over the last two years we’ve sought common goals, asked advise, and turned potential adversaries into partners during a learning experience that has been very rewarding. Our networking and brainstorming has been extremely beneficial. They say it takes a village, and we are part of that, and together we can achieve even more.

Our USTA Florida staff has been growing and we want to welcome our new employees — Accounting & Administration Manager Susie Rahimitabar, Director of Leagues Christine Ducey, as well as multiple local league coordinators brought on as full-time employees. We wish them much success and know they will do a wonderful job. One of our long-time staff, Section League Coordinator Sandy Marshall is retiring. She did a wonderful job managing leagues and we wish her a terrific retirement.

After this I will have one more final article to write as president — my how time flies. In January of 2015 my first article was written, and as I review things that have been happening around the state, I believe in getting to a stage in life where going for it is more important than just thinking about it. Having said that, each and every one of you has helped us go for it. Please remember we all are part of the village and together we do achieve more.

I hope you all had a terrific summer and we look forward to an exciting US Open and end of the year.