Missouri Valley / Heart Of America

Meet the New USTA Heart of America Officer and Board Members

Sydney Hamilton | January 31, 2023

The wait is finally over–the USTA Heart of America Board of Directors for 2023-2024 has been announced, and we’d love for you to get to know our new officer and board members! Keep reading to learn about Jody Holsinger, Lorie Verdi, and W. Clark Richardson.

Jody Holsinger, Vice President - Adults

Growing up as athletes in other sports, my husband Trevor and I started tennis as beginners only seven short years ago as a way to stay active and enjoy adult competition. What we didn’t realize was how the local tennis community would soon become one of the greatest joys of our adult lives! I have since embraced the sport, promoting all its benefits to my community, captaining league teams, becoming a USTA official, and volunteering as a USTA local league coordinator. I am both honored and excited to serve as VP of Adults so that I can make an even greater impact in our district, continuing to grow the game and adult participation, with hopes to make the adult experience the best possible for all!

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Lorie Verdi, Board Member

“I started playing tennis at the age of 14 at the local park. My game was developed by the ‘older’ players who were a daily fixture at the park. I played on the boys’ varsity tennis team at Van Horn High School in Independence, MO, as they didn’t have a girls’ team. After high school, I received a tennis scholarship to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where I graduated with a B.S., B.A. in 1983.

“I have worked as a teaching professional at All-American Sports across its multiple locations, and was the Director of Tennis at both Sugarbush Resort in Sugarbush, VT, and Topnotch in Stowe, VT.

“I’ve participated in eight different USTA National Events at the 5.0, Open, and 10.0 Mixed levels, and have earned USTA Gold Ball awards for the Women’s 40+ Indoor National Championship and the Women’s 30+ Indoor National Championship. I’ve also participated in World Team Tennis (WTT) and have played in the Senior 4.5 Division National Championships.

“I’m excited to bring the perspective of a player, coach, and business owner [to the Board of Directors] in our quest to build the game of tennis, enhance our services, communication, and offerings.”

W. Clark Richardson, Board Member

“My junior tennis days were spent entirely playing in USTA Heart of America, with fond memories of Sweet 16 matches on the Plaza. Following junior tennis, I was a four-year letter-winner on the Michigan State University tennis team and regularly pursued leadership opportunities within the team, including serving as team captain in my junior and senior seasons as well as the representative to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for three years. I earned three Academic All-Big Ten designations and was named to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-American Academic team in 2010.

“In terms of teaching experience, for roughly 20 years, I’ve taught tennis to Special Olympians as part of Nan and Sid Kanters’ renowned Blue Valley Blue Streaks tennis program. I also spent my high school and college years teaching tennis in the summers at various clubs both in Kansas City and out in Connecticut.

“I am thrilled to be working with people as passionate about tennis as those involved with USTA Heart of America. My background and experience includes recognizing when to advocate and conversely, and when to use objectivity. I expect that building consensus and finding common ground among divergent opinions will be a focal point for me on the Board. My aim is that this skillset aids the district in its efforts to plant the seed for the game of tennis (where it isn’t already) and grow the game (where it isn’t yet flourishing).”

Congratulations to all! Welcome aboard!

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