DeAnne “Dee” Davison and Nicole Hobson have joined the leadership team of the Association of Pickleball Players (APP), making a significant enhancement to the organization.
Davison, appointed as the APP’s director of recreational play, will oversee all aspects of the APP’s amateur player experiences.
Her extensive background includes pioneering customer experience at Pickleball Tournaments and holding a leadership position at the Del Webb Sun City Festival pickleball facility in Buckeye, Arizona.
A Wealth Of Experience
Hobson, assuming the role of director of tournament operations, brings a wealth of experience in both professional play and administrative roles within the pickleball community.
She aims to ensure top-notch experiences for APP tournament participants and spectators. Her transition from contractor to full-time team member is seen as a transformative move for the organization.
Ultimate Ambassadors
APP Founder Ken Herrmann was keen to receive the duo:
“With a longstanding relationship with Nicole and Dee, it warms my heart to welcome them to the APP family full-time. Both Nicole and Dee have been long-time leaders in the pickleball industry and are the ultimate ambassadors for the sport.
Their addition to our team will continue to make our player experience the best in all of pickleball, especially as the APP continues to grow access to the sport for recreational players, amateurs, and pros, both domestically and internationally.”
Welcome to the #APPFamily Dee Davison & Nicole Hobson! We are proud to have you as a part of our leadership team! #APPTour #Leadership #NewHire pic.twitter.com/cJdQBa9KTr
— APP Tour (@OfficialAPPTour) October 26, 2023
DeAnne “Dee” Davison
DeAnne “Dee” Davison, in her capacity as the director of recreational play, oversees every facet of the APP’s amateur player engagements.
Trailblazing Customer Experience
Her previous roles encompass trailblazing the customer experience for Pickleball Tournaments (PickleballTournaments.com), a prominent platform for pickleball tournament management.
Additionally, she held a leadership position at the Del Webb Sun City Festival pickleball facility in Buckeye, Arizona.
In this role, she supervised three USA Pickleball National Championships and established player development and instructional programs at the venue. She introduced a consulting service to share her expert insights with organizers in club and tournament management positions nationwide.
An Exciting New Role
“I’m thrilled to join the APP in an exciting new role that allows me to return to the grassroots level of pickleball,” Davison said. “I’ve worked with Ken Herrmann and The APP since 2020, helping to develop their tournament schedule and APP Next Gen Series.
“I look forward to growing the APP’s reach to recreational players searching for structured play through fun competition. Pickleball is the most unique sport, bringing people of all social and economic backgrounds together to exercise and create lifelong friendships.”
Nicole Hobson
Nicole Hobson, as the new director of tournament operations, brings a wealth of experience and a clear mission to enhance the experience for APP tournament participants, including both professional and amateur players and spectators.
No. 5 Ranking
Before assuming this role, Hobson competed in the early stages of professional pickleball from 2012-2016, achieving a ranking as high as the No. 5 female player on the circuit.
She then transitioned to the administrative side of the sport. Her extensive leadership roles include certification as a USA Pickleball (USAP) referee, serving as a USAP Ambassador, tournament director, tournament operator, and coach.
Hobson collaborated closely with Davison as part of the Pickleball Tournaments team, and this move to APP represents a significant transformation in her career.
Ken Herrmann
Hobson recalls her first encounter with Herrmann: “I first heard about Ken Herrmann’s vision for the APP in February 2019 and was in awe. He had a clear focus –not only for professional pickleball but for amateurs as well – to provide the best possible experience for all players and spectators.”
“Pickleball is more than a sport; it is a family, and I am grateful to be a part of the internationally growing pickleball family. I have been fortunate to be a contractor for the APP prior to coming on board full-time, so it’s an easy transition.
“Now I am ‘officially’ part of the team, not just honorary. Better yet, not just a team but the APP family.”
APP Tour
The APP Tour is set to commence in Houston for the 2023 APP Houston Open, followed by the inaugural APP U.S. Indoor Championships scheduled from November 29 to December 3 in Rosemont, Illinois.
For player registration and ticket details, visit theapp.global.
