Nominees Recommended by the Nominating Committee Rosie Bareis Played 4 years college tennis Coached Men s and Women s College Tennis Past President USPTA NorCal USPTA Master Professional Coached at all Four Grand Slams Hall of Fame inductee University of Hawaii Won 11 Gold Balls as a National Player Get people to play tennis. Keep people playing tennis. Help make tennis better for the next generation. Serve as an ambassador for the sport. Graduate, University of Hawaii Tennis Director Gordon Collins High School and College Tennis Tennis Director for Bay Club Courtside - 37 years Tennis Director for Club Corp of America 20 years Tennis Director for BVAC/Bay Club 19 years Been involved in the regional/national levels of the USTA/USPTA since 1977 Our game is facing many challenges. We need to be able to adapt to the current customer and supply them with appropriate programming. Also, many of the clubs/facilities are in trying times we need to collectively come up with a plan to make our game relevant. Economics Degree from UCSB Tennis Director/Past GM at Bay Club Courtside
Steve Cornell Ranked #1 in every junior age group in NorCal. Highest national junior ranking was #7 in Boys 18's in 1967. Played on two NCAA championship teams at UCLA in '70 and '71. Ranked top 10 in NorCal Open singles and doubles for many years. Ranked #1 in every age group in NorCal seniors from 35's-55's. Ranked top 10 nationally in every age group from 35's-55's. One gold ball in singles, and overall 16 silver and bronze balls. Given the Talber-Trabert Father and Son Sportsmanship award with my son, Chris. Inducted into the NorCal Hall of Fame in 2012. I've been married to my high school sweetheart, Loraine, for 45 years. We're both from Oakland where we live and raised three children. All are college graduates. Our daughter played high school and junior tennis while our two sons played that as well as college tennis. Before retiring I was in our family necktie business which was one of the leading companies in the United States. After retiring I became more involved in tennis volunteer work such as being on sectional and national committees as well as being involved at the Berkeley Tennis Club as president and later as president of the club's foundation. I, also, helped with the Pacific Coast Seniors and National Girls 18's. If elected I hope my tennis and business experience will be an helpful addition to NorCal. Graduated from UCLA in 1971 with a degree in Economics. President of Cornell of California, a leading necktie manufacturing company in the United States. We employed 75 people and sold nationally to specialty and department stores nationally. Terry Cossette Terry grew up in Alameda and played tennis on the high school team. He has participated in local leagues as well as participating in the USTA league team of 65 and older. He has helped run many local tournaments for years, as well as the recent challenger tournaments held at UOP the past two years. He has been involved in USTA NorCal and served on the NorCal Board of Directors for many years. He is the past NorCal Delegate to the USTA (2009-2012). He has served on both the technical (4 yrs) and Evaluation (2 yrs) National Committees. He was also the USTA Sectional Representative (4 yrs) representing NorCal. He has been very active in NorCal in various capacities, which include Junior Council Chair, Sportsmanship Chair, Election Chair, Jr. Ranking Boys Chair, Budget Chair as well as serving on the ERC, Operations, Marketing and Publications Committees. He has also served as NorCal Treasurer for numerous years. This past year he has been chair of the Ad Hoc Sportsmanship Committee. He has received awards from NorCal that include NorCal Family of the Year, Warren Brown Service to Tennis, Betty Cookson Lifetime Achievement Award and others.
Terry Cossette (continued) Tennis has been a lifelong sport for Terry and he continues to be involved and give back as a volunteer always is interested in the continued advances of NorCal for all. He supports local tournaments and tennis activities in the Stockton area. He believes in the NorCal mission statement and wants to continue to recruit new members, offer new programs, and continue to satisfy the needs of our existing players. B.S. from Oregon State University in Engineering He worked as a project engineer in the aerospace industry for 10 years before becoming President of a locally owned department store which specialized in men s, women s, and children s clothing and recently retired from this position. Larry Olmstead Advisory Member, USTA NorCal Board, 2016 Member,USTA NorCal Adult League Committee, 2010- present; chair, 2015 - present. USTA NorCal Leagues Volunteer ofthe Year, 2012 Captain or co-captain of 20 USTA league teams since 2008 PTR certified instructor, 10-and-under and Adult Created "Tennis Junkie" blog, www.tennisjunkieblog.blogspot.com Played tennis for 35 years, league player since 2005 My background as a Fortune 1000 and non-profit executive will be useful to the USTA NorCal Board as it seeks to balance its various constituencies and chart a path for growing the game. I have particular expertise in two areas - organizational change and diversity - that will be critical to our growth and success going forward. I have a proven track record as a USTA volunteer leader,having gained both credibility and results with staff and Board members. I have a strong set of managerial and leadership skills, which, among other things, have led to teaching stints in executive leadership programs at such institutions as Harvard and Northwestern universities. Above all,i have deep passion for the game that goes beyond enjoying matches on court- I care deeply about the sport and want to see it thrive.
Larry Olmstead (continued) I attended George Washington University for four years, still shy of a degree. I completed an executive development programs at Northwestern University. Graduate of the prestigious Bronx High School of Science in New York. I am president & CEO of United Way of Northern California. Kevin Pope Director of Tennis Ruby Hill Golf Club Former Director of Tennis Mission Hill Tennis Club 25 Year Member of the USPTA Lifetime Member USTA Former Player of the Year USPTA Former Pro of the Year USTA Nor Cal 2 Time USPTA National Champion Tournament Director of Tournament of the Brain Tumor Foundation Tournament Director of Tri Valley Doubles Championships benefit for Humane Society Want to see the USTA grow the game from the bottom up. As we remain level in terms of numbers of people playing, it seems we serve a smaller and smaller group of players who play more rather than a more diverse and younger group of new players. We need to grow the game. University of California Berkeley USPTA Elite Pro Director of Tennis Ben Szeto I played tennis when I was 18 years old as a recreational sport. For 25 years after that, I picked up a racket a handful of times to hit the ball around. I began playing competitive tennis 3 years ago after 12 years of competitive volleyball. I came in as a 2.5 level player and today I m rated 3.5. I still have a lot of tennis to learn and experience. My goal is to move up to a 4.0 rating.
Ben Szeto (continued) Tennis has become a significant part of my life from the development to the promotion of the game. I never had the opportunity nor the athletic ability to participate in competitive sports during my school years. I came into competitive volleyball 12 years ago and tennis almost 3 years ago. Tennis, through GLTF and USTA NorCal, has brought me amazing friends and a community of fellow tennis players. The love of the game and what tennis means to me has led me to develop into an ambassador for diversity and a champion for the advancement of beginning level players. In addition to my duties on the GLTF board, I am volunteering another 4 hours a week providing clinics to novice tennis players. I am passionate for the game and I want to give back to our tennis community. Bachelor of Science Management of Information System: Golden Gate University Master of Management Hospitality Cornell University CITI: Senior Vice President, Global Application Manager (12 years) 2004-present Aramark Independent Restaurant Consultant 2001-2002, 1997 Myriad Restaurant Group 2000-2001 Central Market 1999-2000 Plumpjack Restaurant Group 1995-1997 Brian Thomas Player-Top 25 ranked Middle States junior. Played #1singles and doubles collegiately for Penn State University-Ogontz. Ranked top 10 Middle States Mens Open,top 10 Hawaii Pacific Section, top 20 Norcal. Ranked top 10 in Mens 40,45 Nationally in singles and doubles. Ranked #1M40 singles and doubles Norcal- Player of the year in singles and doubles. Coach- 25 years of teaching tennis. USPTA Elite Professional, PTR Professional,USRSA Master Racquet Technician, USTA High Performance Coach, USPTA Specialist in Competitive Player Development, International Coaches Institute certified Competition and Professional coach. Coached Hawaii Pacific 14s ZonaIs twice, 16s lntersectionals 4 times. 2009 Norcal Maze Cup captain and coach.
Brian Thomas (continued) I fell in love with the game of tennis when I was 8 years old. I have spent my life involved with the game as a player,coach, teacher, mentor, Manager,Director,and now a parent passing the game on to my two children. I have lived in Norcal for 16 years and worked exclusively at the Orinda Country Club where I presently serve as the Head of Tennis and Fitness. My experience growing up in Middle States, living in Hawaii for 7 years, and now spending 16 years in NorcaI has given me a wide variety of tennis experience to help the Norcal Tennis section improve and move forward in the right direction. I have an open mind to all ideas,have no hidden agendas, and only want to genuinely help our tennis product in NorcaI. 4 yrs. Jenkintown High School. 2 yrs Penn State University. Life education as a player and coach. Head of Tennis and Fitness, Orinda Country Club
Other Nominees Sue Leo WTA Professional Player 1980-1987 Top 100, Career High #62, Doubles #25 Federation Cup Team Member, 80, 81, 82, 83 Have been involved with tennis my entire life. Jr Tournaments @ 7 years old. Jr tournaments International Jr tournaments Pro Tour Coaching top 10 Juniors Coaching Adults/Jrs @ club level Admin side as director USTA Player 5.5/Open, National Team I have a full list: My life has and always will be tennis oriented. High School Director of Tennis, Round Hill Country Club, Alamo, CA, 14 years Director of Tennis, Countryside Country Club, Clearwater, FL, 10 years David Panconi After 20+ years as a senior sales executive I began my tennis career in 2005. I worked for a few tennis Academies Kim Grant Tennis Academy, Eagle Fustar Tennis Academy, and then Mountain View Tennis a Public Facility (Cuesta Park) where I was the Head Pro and was responsible for all activates on court and off court. After experiencing all level of coaching and running a public facility I started my own business (Premier Tennis) focusing on the 10 and Under players and Adults. I am currently running a junior program in Los Altos with 108+ weekly students and 8 adults. Additionally, I was hired to work part-time to develop a Junior program as Sharon Heights GCC in March 2016. As a potential board member I would be interested in working with the committees that are involved in grass roots tennis. I believe I would be a great resource for the board as I am involved daily in the development and growth of tennis. Currently I provide lessons to juniors 4-
David Panconi (continued) 14 years old and adults of all ages and levels where I am continuously learning more about players and parent s expectations and how to improve my coaching style and processes. University of California, Davis, Ca BA Political Science Public Service Minor Communication PTR National Council for the Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE) Master s Degree Junior Development (Level 5) USPTA Elite Professional Full Time Tennis Professional Jim Swansiger Active 5.0 league player, All Conference Player at Chabot, #7 Final State Doubles ranking, and member of the Chabot College Hall of Fame Assistant Pro Livermore Valley Tennis Club, 1993-2001 Head Pro Ruby Hill Golf club, 2001-2011 Director of Tennis Castlewood Country Club, 2001 present NorCal outside Sales Rep 1998-2001 ProKennex, Sergig Tacchini, Lotto I feel I have seen tennis from a lot of different angles in Northern California. I have coached at tennis clubs, country clubs, high schools and junior college. I was an outside sales rep in northern California and visited nearly every club and pro shop and have talked extensively about tennis with many of the people responsible for bringing new players to the game and retaining the players we have. Las Positas/Chabot College Cal State Hayward, Kinesiology Tennis Director at Castlewood Country Club