USSP Board Members

Who We Are

Ford Roberson

CEO / Central & East Zone Director

Robson Ranch, Denton, TX

Family: Wife - Catherine, two children, Joy and Kyle, 4 grandchildren
Education: BS - Angelo State University, MAT - Angelo State University, MEd - Abilene Christian University, Superintendent and Mid-Management Certifications, TEA
Retired Professional Educator Texas (28 years), Associate Superintendent, Duncanville ISD, Gold and Diamond Dealer (35 years), Founder and Executive Director of Texas Math and Science Coaches Association
Hobbies/Interests: Golf, No-limit Texas Holdem Poker, Pickleball, Softball and Senior Track and Field
Pickleball – USA Pickleball and IFP Ambassador, IPTPA Regional Director Texas, Certified USA Pickleball Referee, Served on several USA Pickleball committees, 4 years SSIPA Executive Director (retired)
2014-2019 - State, Regional, USA Pickleball National Medalist, State Games of America Medalist, Huntsman Medalist, US Open Medalist, National Senior Games Award, Italian Open Age Champion, Spanish Open Age Champion
2019 - 3 Regional Tournaments -3 gold in men’s 65 doubles
International Competition – Spain, Italy, Germany, Japan, Canada
IFP – Bainbridge Cup Team Members 2017-19 vs Team Europe, 3 victories
SSIPA President – Conduct Board Meetings, Coordinate with the Executive Director, Develop Board Agendas, Staff, USA Pickleball and IFP Relations

Vice President/ Western Zone Director

Family: One child, Evan + Fiancé – Robin and her three children Sam, Josh, & Molly
Education: BS Agriculture Business (Finance & Appraisal)– Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CA
Retired Retail Management (25+ years), Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from Portland State (Continuous Improvement), Pickleball Is Great CEO/President (6 years)
Hobbies/Interests: Fishing, Travel, Foodie in search of great Hawaiian food
Pickleball – Former USA Pickleball Regional Director and Ambassador, Former President of Colombia River Pickleball
Pickleball Rating = 4.5 Men’s/Mixed & 4.0 Singles
2012-2019 – Multi State medalist Oregon, Washington, & California

Secretary

The Villages, FL

Education: BA in Sec. Educ./History from Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD.; CDP in Computer Science from Fullerton College, Fullerton, CA.; MBA in Info Systems from Univ. of Texas at Arlington, TX.
Occupation: Retired as Info Systems Manager/Project Manager from SABRE/American Airlines at DFW, TX.
Hobbies: Movies, Travel, Reading
Pickleball: Ambassador; past USAPA Western Region Director; past USAPA Ratings Chair; past commissioner on the Palm Desert, CA. Parks & Rec. Commission and Riverside County, CA. Parks and Rec. Commission; tournament director of multiple events; played in tournaments in 31 states and in Mexico and Spain

Treasurer / Memberships

Santa Cruz, CA

Family: Wife - Cher, two children, David & Kelly + 3 grandchildren
Education: BS in Electrical Engineering Mich. Technological Univ.
Retired from Computer industry, 4 years USAF
Hobbies: Pickleball, Golf, Hiking, Traveling, Motorcycle Touring
Pickleball: Started playing 5 years ago, board member of the Santa Cruz Pickleball Club and maintained websites for Santa Cruz and USSP
Develop and update the Website, make recommendations for website improvement, review content correctness, maintain website license.
Not many tournaments but playing 2-3 times a week.

Board Director

Mill Valley, CA

Family: Wife - Barbara 46 years, 3 children, Marty, Ryan and Stefanie. 6 grandchildren and 1 more on the way
Education: BA University of Redlands, 1966. JD UCLA School of Law, 1969
Almost retired lawyer - practice mainly in Hawaii but licensed in California
Hobbies: Travel before Covid, Pickleball. Started play in 2017 after 60 years of tennis
Pickleball Rating - 4.0 singles, 4.0 doubles, 3.5 mixed
USAP Nationals - 2021 - Gold, 3.5, 75+ mixed, Silver, 4.0, 75+ singles
USAPA Nationals - 2018 - Gold, 3.5, 70+ singles
USAPA Nationals - 2017 - Silver, 3.5, 70+
Found Pickleball in 2017 when knees started giving out from tennis - try to play as much as possible

Director of Marketing & Sponsorships

Issaquah, WA - Phoenix, AZ (Winter)

Family: Wife Lucinda, 2 daughters Ashley & Chelsea, 2 Sons Justin & Allen with 3 Grand Children
Education: Washington State University
Career; Insurance broker for small business in the State of Washington for 20 years / Import Supplier to Wal-Mart, Costco, and Home Depot for 20 years
Hobbies: Golf / Horses - Part owner of Commanding Curve who finished second in the Ky Derby in 2014
Pickleball rating - 4.0 MD & MXD - 2021 GOLD medal USAPA Nationals in MXD 65+ 4.0
What Pickleball means to me; At age 65 I was feeling old, overweight, bored, and tired of dieting. I was also feeling isolated, and unsure how to develop new friends.The only fun memories I had were from the past.....Then Something magical happened,I played my first game of Pickleball, it felt like I belonged, It felt like home to me and still does. I Feel younger when I play, I have developed personal goals, lost 45 pounds in 24 months and gained 100's of new friends. Pickleball is so much more than a game to me.

Member at Large

Centennial, CO (Denver suburb)

Family - three sons, Aaron, Lucas & Brandon & 2 grandchildren
Education: BA – Urbana University, MS - American Holistic College of Nutrition
Nutrition Consultant in private practice, founder and CEO of Infinity Health, a nutrition distribution and consulting business. Book author: A Guidebook to Clinical Nutrition for the Health Professional
Pickleball: IPTPA Teaching Professional & Colorado Regional Director, Twice USAPA National Medalist, Tournament Director – Colorado Open
Original SSIPA Board member & Former President of SSIPA Board of Directors for 2 years
USSP Executive Director: Conduct and coordinate daily operations with the staff,coordinate the operations of USSP tournaments, promote the growth of Pickleball especially in the Senior community, maintain relationships with tournament directors, provide recommendations to the Board, evaluate the effectiveness of daily operations.