USTA Southern Executive Director John Callen to Retire
Posted: June 14, 2021 in Suppliers
USTA
PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA – John Callen, currently the longest serving USTA section executive director, has announced his retirement, effective January 31, 2022. In 1989, Callen was named USTA Southern Executive Director and now also serves as its Chief Operating Officer.
Callen is a member of four Halls of Fame: the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame (inducted in 2013), the Alabama Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame (2000), and the Georgia Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame (2004). He is also an honorary member of the Georgia Professional Tennis Association and member of their Hall of Fame.
USTA Southern President & CEO Randy Jackson said, “Announcing the retirement plans of our beloved and respected Executive Director of 33 years is not done without a lot of mixed emotions.
“It’s difficult to describe the significance of a John Callen to an organization like ours. John’s experience, intelligence, personality and character have made him a most respected leader in the tennis world. There is no one who deserves more credit for the incredible success of the USTA Southern Section than John Callen. Recently, in his typical gracious and humble manner, John stated: “I could not have been more fortunate to be around some of the very best staff and board members and volunteers over the decades.’ Of course, we know that is in large part because of him. He is a great teacher and role model.
“John will be sorely missed but we will celebrate with him through January and beyond. And John loves the sport of tennis, the USTA and USTA Southern so much that I’m sure we will have the benefit of his wisdom and advice for a long time into the future.”
CALLEN’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Over the span of more than a half century, Callen’s contributions to Southern tennis run the gamut of the tennis world. Starting as a noted junior and college player, he also has been a standout coach, volunteer and, ultimately, a leading tennis executive.
Callen grew up in Birmingham, Ala., where he was Student Body President, Athletic Club President, a member of the National Honor Society and a varsity tennis player who went undefeated in high school dual matches.
He went on to play at the collegiate level at Georgia Tech from 1970-1974, where he served as co-captain and played No. 1 to No. 4 singles and No. 1 to No. 2 doubles over his four-year career. In 1974, he began a 15-year tennis pro career as Head Tennis Professional at Big Canoe (Ga.), Director of Tennis at the Indian Hills Country Club and Athletic Director at Standard Club. Callen continued to hone his skills as a player, winning numerous Southern tennis titles and reaching the No. 1 ranking in the section for multiple years across many age groups.
Callen, of Johns Creek, Ga., has been dedicated to volunteerism in the Southern Section. He was a founder of the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame, founding member of the Georgia Tennis Patrons Foundation and founding member of Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) Foundation. He served as Georgia Tennis Association President from 1982-1983. He was also elected to ALTA’s Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors of the Georgia Professional Tennis Association. Callen coached winning Georgia Junior Davis Cup teams. He served as USTA Southern Vice President along with being a member of numerous USTA committees.
Since his hiring to lead USTA Southern, the section’s membership rose to a high of more than 187,000, representing 25 percent of the national membership. During that time, the section has been at the forefront of growing grassroots tennis, including fostering USTA League expansion, Junior Team Tennis formation and growth, and hosting an array of junior and adult tournaments in the section’s nine states. The section has a robust adult program, including the largest Combo and Mixed Doubles leagues in the country. As Southern Tennis Foundation Executive Director, Callen oversaw the giving of approximately $5 million, notably to NJTL programs, junior tournament players and college students.
Callen’s immediate family includes Frances, his wife of 45 years, and daughters Ashley, Melanie and Courtney, along with three grandchildren.
OTHER COMMENTS
USTA Chairman of the Board & President Mike McNulty said Callen exemplifies excellence. “John has been a shining beacon in the USTA family for more than three decades. His ability to relate to the grassroots of tennis has helped him build and grow programs that volunteers, and staff have emulated for years. More importantly, I’ve known John as a friend and a mentor who has helped me succeed in the tennis world.”
Gordon Smith, former USTA CEO & Executive Director and lifelong friend, added, “John’s expertise and executive skills have made him a consummate sectional executive director. Throughout my time as USTA Executive Director, he was always a leader who earned the respect of the national staff and other section executive directors around the country.” “No one person has had a greater impact on tennis in the South than John Callen,” said Southern’s USTA Delegate Bonnie Vandegrift. “John has served almost 33 years as the Executive Director, working with 18 different presidents, dozens of staff members, numerous state EDs and probably thousands of volunteers. He is extremely knowledgeable, always diplomatic, wise, caring and humble. John sets the standard for how staff and volunteers can work together in unison to further the mission of the organization. I know I speak for all the former presidents in wishing John and Frances a wonderful retirement and many more wins on the court.”
