PPTR - Key Persons
Brian, who joined the PTR staff in May 2014, has had a series of promotions during his tenure. Prior to his new post as COO, Parkkonen served as Director of Education, where he was responsible for the direction and content of the organization's four education pathways to certification, as well as Level 3 Specialist and Master of Tennis programs.
Job Titles:
- Marketing Manager
- PTR As the Member
Caitlyn joined PTR as the member experience coordinator. She assists PTR members both new and current, ensuring they have the best experience working with PTR. Caitlyn also manages PTR's branding.
She is responsible for the consistent look and theme of all PTR graphics and messaging in order to grow the PTR marketing and social media footprint. Caitlyn graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design.
Job Titles:
- CEO of PTR & PPR
- Our Chief Executive Officer ( CEO )
As the longtime CEO of PTR & PPR, Dan has seen membership increase tremendously during his tenure, from an organization of 2,500 members in 68 countries to one with more than 16,500 members in 125 countries. Dan has championed the start of PPTR to bring high level education & certification to the sport of Platform Tennis. Dan has represented the sports of Tennis & Pickleball all over the world and is excited to do the same for Platform Tennis.
Job Titles:
- Education Consultant
- Education Consultant for PTR
Anne is the Education Consultant for PTR, responsible for designing and developing the new PTR Coach Education Pathway. She is also a consultant to several tennis academies and USA Football. Previously, Anne was Manager, Coaching Education for USTA High Performance, working with High Performance Coaches throughout the USA.
Job Titles:
- Membership Director
- PTR Members
A familiar face to many PTR members, Helma has been with the organization since its inception. Prior to joining the inaugural PTR staff, she worked for Dennis Van der Meer.
Helma has worn many hats over the years, including, Clinician, Tester and Merchandise Director. Still responsible for merchandise, accounts receivable, and assisting with workshop coordination, as Director of Membership, her duties expanded to include membership growth and retention. Helma graduated cum laude with a degree in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.
International Director Iñaki coordinates the International Department of PTR. Iñaki has traveled to more than 60 countries to teach PTR Workshops, resulting in having taught more than 250 PTR workshops. He represents the organization at many International ITF and ATP conferences and symposia.
Born in Milan, Italy, Iñaki is able to converse with our members in Italian, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. Iñaki is also the Coordinator of ACE, PTR's multicultural participation program, represents PTR on various USTA and ITF Committees, is on the Cardio Tennis Speaker Staff and is a USTA High Performance Coach. He is one of only two clinicians authorized to conduct international Etcheberry Strength & Conditioning Certification.
Job Titles:
- Director for Both the PTR Wheelchair Tennis Championships
- Vice President of Marketing and Special Events
Julie is responsible for coordinating special events, such as PTR WEEK, Spring TennisFest, Tennis Club Owners Conference and Professional Development Weekend. Julie also supervises PTR's staff and manages the many benefits available to PTR members. Julie is as a member of HEAD's Team Airflow.
With a passion for wheelchair tennis and Special Olympics, Julie annually serves as Tournament Director for both the PTR Wheelchair Tennis Championships and the Special Olympics Tennis Championships. In 2006, PTR received a National Award for Adaptive Tennis. In 2005, Julie received the USTA Community Service Award for the Southern Section and the Special Olympics South Carolina's Super Hero Award. In 2004, she was recognized by RSI Magazine as the Wheelchair Tennis Champion of the Year.
International Clinician Louie travels the globe conducting International PTR Day events, certification workshops & PTR testing. Louie is one of only two clinicians authorized to conduct international Etcheberry Strength & Conditioning Certification.
Job Titles:
- Director of Development and Diversity
In this position, Milena will ensure every member has the resources to be fully prepared for a certification workshop or event. She will serve as the liaison between hosts and participants to guarantee each has the best possible and most rewarding experience. She will also process scores and communicate with PTR members.
In addition, he developed new courses and opportunities, including PTR's Education Dashboard that provides hundreds of hours of free online video presentations, and was a key player in the evolution of the PTR Coach App. Working with Sarah Ansboury, Brian was also instrumental in the organization's new PPR pickleball certification curriculum, workshop preparation materials and clinician training. Brian started at PTR as Director of Development where he oversaw the delivery of PTR education and managed scores of clinicians across the United States. Before leading the clinicians, he was one himself.
Paige Payne joined the staff at PTR in May 2012, after graduating with a degree in marketing from Ashland University, where she played on the tennis team.
A Minnesota native, Vicki graduated with a computer operations degree, and moved to Hilton Head Island in September 1989. In 1991,