About IAPPF

IAPPF is the global trade association for pickleball and padel facilities. We serve facility owners, operators, developers, suppliers, sponsors, investors, and industry stakeholders working to build stronger businesses and a more professional facility ecosystem.

Through membership, education, research, events, industry intelligence, supplier connections, and advocacy, IAPPF helps the facility industry grow with greater professionalism, better information, and stronger relationships.

IAPPF 2.0 marks the next stage of the association: a paid membership platform built to deliver deeper value to the people and companies shaping the future of pickleball and padel facilities.

01 / Mission

Why we exist

our Mission

To help pickleball and padel facility owners, operators, developers, suppliers, and industry leaders build stronger businesses and advance the professional growth of the facility industry.

Who We Serve

i.

Operating pickleball facilities

ii.

Operating padel facilities

iii.

Facilities under development

iv.

Racquet clubs adding pickleball or padel

v.

Multi-location operators

vi.

Facility suppliers

vii.

Sponsors and industry partners

viii.

Investors and developers

ix.

Consultants, educators, and public-sector leaders

DAVID JOHNSON – CEO/Co-Founder

David Johnson is an internationally recognized pioneer and leader in the pickleball industry. He co-founded Pickleball Central in 2006 at the dawn of the modern day pickleball renaissance. David built the company into the largest pickleball retailer, and led the acquisition of pickleball Tournaments and Pickleball Inc. while leading Pickleball Central to tens of millions of dollars in sales annually before selling the company to Dundon Capital, owner and operator of the PPA Tour, Major League Pickleball, Pickleball Brackets and other related companies.

A serial entrepreneur with decades of success in technology and other industries, David also co-founded and operated Pickleball Station – one of the first permanent pickleball facilities in the world. He is currently the founder and publisher of the industry leading The Business of Pickleball newsletter.

JOSH KERNS – Chief Marketing and Member Officer.

Josh is an award-winning journalist and marketing communications, events and association expert with extensive experience leading initiatives for Fortune 500 companies including Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, Victoria’s Secret, and many others.

Josh has built a successful pickleball event management and consulting company, leading large-scale events for the city of Seattle, Amazon, Seattle Convention Center and numerous organizations. Josh helped launch the Seattle area’s first dedicated indoor facility, along with Side Out Tsunami Pickleball Center – the largest pickleball facility in the NW. He serves as advisor on all facets of operations including marketing, programming and retail.

CHRIS KLEIN/Global VP of Sales

Chris Klein is the Global VP of Sales at the International Association of Pickleball Facilities. Chris brings over 25 years of leadership experience in sales, operations, and business development. As the founder of PickleballPadel, he helped pickleball facilities understand and navigate the growing U.S. padel industry and supported padel manufacturers in entering the U.S. market.

He also worked to bring pickleball to international markets. Chris brings extensive international experience in sales and operations, working with companies expanding into markets across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

He is a speaker and advisor at industry trade shows, sharing insights on market trends, facility expansion, and business strategy. He is also a certified pickleball coach and the author of Pickleball In No Time.

CHELSEA DONOVAN – Marketing and Member Services Director

Chelsea Donovan is an Emmy-award winning journalist with 20 years as crime television reporter in various TV markets throughout the Southeast. In 2025, she made the leap into the Pickleball industry and is so excited to be able to use her skill sets to contribute to the fastest growing sport. In her free time she is an avid 4.0 pickleball player highly immersed in local clubs and leagues. Chelsea started playing Pickleball before the boom, back in 2015 when her parents taught her to play. Chelsea also enjoys spending time with her Cavalier King Charles, Charm.

ANNA COLEY – Strategic Advisor

Anna co-founded and helped lead pioneering online retailer Pickleball Central from 2006 to 2022. She wore many hats on the PBC journey, from customer service and marketing to HR, apparel management, and even unloading shipping containers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before pickleball, Anna was a lawyer starting in private practice and growing to public service legal work. During the 1990s, she was a prominent presence in Seattle’s thriving theatre scene, serving as a member of a theatre company and appearing in numerous stage productions and some screen roles.

Anna says that the best decision of her life was marrying David Johnson, CEO/Founder of the IAPPF. She says David may appear to be a reserved person, but he is actually a wild serial entrepreneur.

Anna brings a deep history, expert knowledge and innumerable skills honed in her decades at Pickleball Central and beyond to her role with the IAPPF as a key strategic advisor.

COURTNEY JENKINS – strategic advisor

Courtney is well known and respected pickleball industry leader as the owner/operator of four facilities in Washington state. She launched into the sport after a successful career in the technology industry for over 20 years. She co-founded Armory Pickleball with Craig Cooper in Bellingham, WA and now owns the business on her own. She also took over the Astria Club in Ellensburg in 2023, which is now Armory Pickleball Ellensburg. And she recently took over ownership of another facility in Marysville, WA.

A PPR Certified coach, Courtney also enjoys spending time with members helping them reach their goals.

Along with her extensive pickleball facility knowledge, Courtney brings a wealth of success and experience to the IAPPF as an expert in all facets of technical program management, systems development, people support and much more. She prides herself in being a problem solver and helping teams work efficiently together with process, human skills or tools.

You can reach out to her at courtney@armorypickleball.com