Welcome DUPR Executive Directors
Join DUPR in welcoming our Executive Directors. As an Executive Director, each individual operates and owns DUPR Flex and Team Leagues; runs innovative DUPR events like the Waterfall & Jamboree; and activates their community members and local clubs and facilities. Use the image below to see if you have an Executive Director near you.
Idaho (Sal Alvarado)
Sal Alvarado
Idaho Executive Director
Sponsored player for ProKennex Pickleball, Civile Apparel and DayOne.
Started playing Pickleball in 2019 at Club Apple in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Directed first tournament in 2020, called the Eastern Idaho Classic hosted by Steve Deakin.
"DUPR to me is more than just a player rating system. It’s a growing family of like-minded individuals changing the pickleball landscape of entertainment and experience, one player at a time. See you on the courts! #IYPYK
South Carolina (Max Easton)
Max Easton
South Carolina Executive Director
Hooked on pickleball since 2019, when the local YMCA first opened and introduced me to the sport.
Helped create our own pickleball club to help better connect local players.
"The DUPR club software was instrumental in creating fair competitive play, and made it easy to organize events that everyone enjoyed."
Washington (Pablo Granados)
Pablo Granados
Washington Executive Director
Teacher who discovered Pickleball about 3 years ago and it changed his life. Initially interested in Pickleball just as an activity but as he learned more about the sport, realized he wanted to be an ambassador of the sport.
In the past 3 years, organized and directed very many events, from small events and leagues with just a few players to tournaments with over 300 participants.
"I have a passion for the promotion and organization of the sport, but I also enjoy playing as much as I can. I am excited about all the opportunities DUPR will bring to my region."
Minnesota (Scott Buell)
Scott Buell
Minnesota Executive Director
Did not grow up playing tennis or any other racquet sports and was introduced to pickleball in 2019.
Currently play 10-15 hours a week at a 4.0 to 4.5 level.
"I believe the best part about pickleball is the people, and also the competition. I’ve met many great players and made so many friends over the last couple of years. I love that pickleball is one of the few sports where anyone can compete with anyone regardless of their age or gender. Personally, I am addicted to the competition, and I want to win regardless of if it’s a recreational game or a tournament." "Before DUPR, there wasn’t much to make the competition of recreational games feel truly meaningful. I think that is the primary reason why I’m so excited about and drawn to DUPR."
Utah (Brandon Chesley)
Brandon Chesley
Utah Executive Director
Heavily involved in the Utah Tech Pickleball Club (@trailblazerpickleball on Instagram) and is the head of community outreach.
We host 80+ people events weekly off-campus and have 2 tournaments a semester.
"I play 4.5+ pickleball and have been actively looking to get into the business side of pickleball ever since I started playing with my grandma a year ago, and am super excited to start with DUPR." - Brandon Chesley
Northern California (Carmen Sanz)
Carmen Sanz
Northern California Executive Director
It was in 2018 when Pickleball touched the heart of Carmen to change the path of her life. Carmen quickly became a lover of the game and decided to devote her life to serve the pickleball community.
As a professional coach, Carmen’s goal is to inspire every player to develop a passion to get better so that they can experience the joy of becoming the best version of themselves.
Carmen is based in Northern California (San Francisco Bay Area). She offers private classes, semi-privates, groups, clinics, events, and more.
Contact her at carmenpickleball@gmail.com to make your pickleball dreams come true.
Arizona & New Mexico (Chase Distefano)
Chase Distefano
Arizona & New Mexico Executive Director
Has been playing pickleball for five years and in tournaments for about four years.
First word was, "Ball."
Interested in is growing amateur pickleball.
"DUPR is going to bring back the fun to amateur pickleball. With leagues and MLP events for all skill levels we will be able to bring back that team atmosphere that all athletes love. Players get to feel like a pro while playing for cash prizes and the opportunity to win a national title."
Michigan (Calvin Bushor)
Calvin Bushor
Michigan Executive Director
Created their own community club, PlymouthPickleball.com, which runs out of our town’s old middle school gym.
I learned the fundamentals of coaching which I still use to this day and is a core part of my pickleball core. I have now coached and taught pickleball to over seventy new players this Fall with more signed up and ready to learn.
"When my brother-in-law and I learned about the dynamic rating system offered by DUPR, we knew we needed to have this as part of our club."
Middle States (Rick Fortuna)
Rick Fortuna
Middle States Executive Director
Been in the sports event business for over 30 years as founder and CEO of Kansas City Sports and recently as founder of iPickle Nation.
In 1997, Rick helped design and develop the United States Specialty Sports Association’s (USSSA) baseball program. USSSA Baseball is the standard for team classifications/power ratings and currently has over 600,000 players in the program. Rick has served multiple roles in USSSA and currently serves as Chairman of the Board.
Rick began playing Pickleball in 2019 with his wife Jennie and founded iPickle Nation in 2020.
Since its inception, iPickle Nation has had over 5,000 entries into weekly round robin play and 2,000 entries in weekend tournament play. iPickle Nation is one of the largest providers in the Midwest. Joining the DUPR team is a natural fit for both Rick and iPickle Nation.
Maryland (Sam Morris)
Sam Morris
Maryland Executive Director
Always loved the strategic side of sports.
Is an elementary school physical education teacher for Montgomery County Public Schools and loves teaching pickleball to anyone who will listen.
"I started my own pickleball business to help organize amateur players into more competitive groups using DUPR. I've run clinics, tournaments, and now leagues. I love teaching and sharing knowledge, and I love pickleball."
Oregon (Aaron Boehme)
Aaron Boehme
Oregon Executive Director
Current football coach for Linfield University.
Lives in McMinnville, OR about an hour southwest of Portland.
Huge pickleball addict, tournament organizer, and loves to play!
Hong Kong (Venise Chan)
Venise Chan
Hong Kong Executive Director
Former professional tennis player from Hong Kong. Chan, who reached No. 1 in Hong Kong and world No. 340 in WTA rankings during her career, also played college tennis for the University of Washington and University of Cambridge.
Chan represented Hong Kong at the World University Games (2011), Asian Games (2010), All China Games (2009 and 2013), Asian Championships (2007), and Fed Cup (2006-2007 and 2012-2013)As a junior, she reached a career-high ranking of No. 24 in the world, No. 2 in Asia. She competed in all four Junior Grand Slams ‒ Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and US Open.
Her adventurous demeanor keeps her active in various fields such as finance, archaeology, tennis, dance, modeling, social influencer and most recently pickleball. In August 2021, she made her first debut in the pickleball pro tour and is currently no. 1 pickleball player in Hong Kong.
Japan (Daniel Moore)
Daniel Moore
Japan Executive Director
Daniel is a 9-time national champion and professional pickleball player.
He started pickleball in Japan and Kenya, as well as helping launch in China. He has taught in over 15 countries and is currently working on developing a certification program for the International Federation of Pickleball.
Daniel lives in Japan, where he owns Active Travel Japan, an outdoor travel business and enjoys snowboarding and hiking in Japan’s many mountains.
Great Plains (Dave McCune)
Dave McCune
Great Plains Executive Director
Born in Denver, Colorado, and Educated in Texas, Dave has been in the athletic industry on every level. An NCAA All American, former Snowboard Professional, and now Competitive Pickleball Enthusiast, he lives for fair and fierce competition.
Texas (Rich Lopez)
Rich Lopez
Texas Executive Director
Southern California (Steve Riggs)
Steve Riggs
Southern California Executive Director
Australia (Mike Newell)
Mike Newell
Australia Executive Director
Florida (Andrea LaMack)
Andrea LaMack Andrei Daescu Ken Normoyle
Florida Executive Directors
Arkansas (Cindy Fish)
DUPR is pickleball’s most accurate global rating system trusted by world premier pickleball clubs, professional tours, and recreational players alike. Learn more at mydupr.com.