Board of Directors - Candidate/Photos
The Annual Meeting and Election of Directors will take place on Wednesday, June 16th at 6:30pm, preceded by the President’s Reception at 5:30pm. All members are invited and encouraged to attend. Ballots for the 2021-2024 Board of Directors have been mailed. Please see Club Manager, Julie Wheadon if you did not receive one. Ballots are due by 3pm on Wednesday, June 16th.
Election of Directors - 2021-2024
The information for the Election of Directors was mailed Tuesday, May 24. If you would prefer an electronic ballot, you can contact Club Manager Julie Wheadon.
Below you will find bios for the election of three Directors who will serve for the period of 2021-2024. The Nominating Committee (Chair John Iwanski, Board Liaison Kevin Harrang, and equity members at large, Leslie Bouton, Mary Czerwinski, Girish Patwardhan, and John Thekkethala) proposes the following candidates
Leslie Bouton
Platform
I have really benefitted from all that Central Park has to offer. I want to make sure it continues on its’ path as an exceptional tennis facility and place to gather….the Best in the PNW!!
Length of Membership
I joined Central Park in May of 2017. My tennis “career” began at Robinswood in 2006 with my very first team, a 2.5 group, going to Nationals and finishing in second place! I have been hooked ever since. I joined Central Park for the great tennis and the social aspect. It has truly been great for me and my family. We have met amazing people and made incredible friends. The time spent at Central Park has been wonderful and added so much to our lives.
Club Activities
I have always enjoyed gathering with groups of people and want to get to know as many people at Central Park as I could. I figured the best way to do that was to be as involved as possible. Since joining Central Park, I have captained or co-captained 4-5 teams a year, participated in several different cardio classes (although I definitely need more), taken lessons from amazing instructors and participated in social events. My favorite thing has been organizing a really fun MXD group on Monday nights. It is a large group of great people that keeps growing! Typically we have 4-8 courts a week throughout the year of fun tennis with socializing and laughter afterward (in a non-Covid time).
Professional Background
A majority of my career was as an ICU nurse in large medical institutions. For the last 13 years, I have been Director of Medical Operations at MD2 concierge primary care clinics across the country.
Outside Interests
I have always enjoyed a variety of activities. My favorites have been anything that involves family time, skiing, golf, biking, pickleball, time with my pets and socializing with friends as much as possible!
Mary Czerwinski
Platform
I believe that the club is very well run. I do notice some facility “nits” here and there that could be improved so I will try to help get those maintenance aspects fixed however I can. Most importantly, I hope to continue to increase the “family” feeling of the club. Hanging out after match play for social mixers is one of my favorite things to do at Central Park and I’ve made so many friends that way. I know that maintaining a kitchen with real food is stretch goal, but it would enhance the feel of the club, not to mention provide healthy nutrition. I’m also a big pickle ball fan, so I’d be pushing for that as well—without sacrificing any of the tennis courts of course.
Length of Membership
I was a member of the Pro Club for 20 years before joining Central Park about 8 years ago I believe. I used to dream about being a member when I would come to play at the club or be invited by guests. I loved the family community feel, the outdoor courts, bbq and patio, and pool! It was the best switch I ever made!
Club Activities
I was a member of the nominating committee this year. That’s right, and I’m on the list. We worked hard to find a broad number of candidates that really care about the club and have the time and talent to serve. I’m honored to have been nominated. Since joining the club, I have captained 3 different formats of teams. In addition, I’ve played on multiple MXD 7.0, Women’s 3.5 and 3.0 teams, going to playoffs a couple of times, and sectionals once. I’ve volunteered to do odd jobs on CP’s “Work Day” and enjoy helping to make the club look great.
Professional Background
I am a partner research manager in Microsoft Research. My team is called HUE for Human Understanding and Empathy. We use machine learning and signal processing of users’ gestures, voice and activity to try to design more emotionally sentient systems. I have a PhD in Cognitive Psychology from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. I’ve been at Microsoft for over 25 years.
Outside Activities
Pre-COVID I was an avid traveler, giving lectures and attending conferences all over the world. In the past two years, I’ve learned a bit about gardening since I’m home so much more often, and I’m really enjoying that! I also enjoy science fiction books and movies.
Elizabeth Graves
Platform
If you ask me to describe CPTC in one word, I would say “Community.” The women who insisted I join a CUP team years ago have become more than teammates, they are dear friends. Oliver and I treasure the relationships we have developed with people at the Club, beyond just those we play with on court. As we emerge from this pandemic, each of us challenged and changed in unique ways, it will be important for us to reconnect Central Park as a central community; to evaluate and learn from the lessons of this past year; to move forward; to invest time and resources in the people, personnel, programming and property of the Club. I am excited to be a part of our Club’s growth and development in every aspect and I would be honored to serve you on the CPTC Board of Directors.
Length of Membership
When we joined CPTC in 2011 my husband, Oliver, was thrilled to pick up the sport he remembered enjoying with his dad growing up. With no tennis experience, raising two small kids and managing two part-time jobs, I had no interest in picking up a new hobby. A few years later, having left my day job, I was invited to join a CUP team. I’ll never forget that first day on court: racquet in hand, I was hooked at first hit and I’ve never looked back.
Club Activities
I served on the CUP Committee for three years and was Chair of the Committee my third year. In my role as Chair I also attended Tennis Committee meetings as CUP liaison. During my time on the Committee I was involved in the inception and continuation of the annual CUP Social + Fundraiser benefitting local non profit organizations. I have captained CUP teams and, of course, play USTA - both women’s and mixed teams. Over the years our family has participated in numerous activities and programs the Club offers: Jr. Tennis, clinics and lessons, socials (Halloween, Aloha, Summer Nights…), the Women’s Benefit Challenge, and more. We also avail ourselves of the facilities including the Fitness Court and large fitness room, pool, and any BBQ with enough real estate to hold whatever Oliver is cooking.
Professional Background
I graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a couple of degrees and a Fulbright Scholarship to France. I spent 19 years as a public school teacher in the Renton and Bellevue School Districts teaching mainly middle and high school French. (The day job I left when I took up tennis.) In those 19 years, and in both Districts, I was Chair of the World Languages Dept. at my school, worked at the District level to adopt and develop new curriculum, bring in new programming for underserved and underrepresented students, and was involved in design/development input on two school remodel projects, while also serving on school committees, coaching, etc. For the last 10 years I have been teaching group fitness classes at Gold’s Gym/425 Fitness.
Outside Activities
If I am not on the tennis court I am probably on a mountain side - skiing in winter and hiking spring, summer, fall. I love baking as a means to bring people joy and can’t wait for post-tennis social time to resume and include potluck style gatherings.
Girish Patwardhan
Platform
I think the biggest draw of Central Park is its "tennis-first" focus complemented by a welcoming member base and the great social interactions that it fosters, which I'd like to see continue. As a relatively recent member, I think I can provide a perspective on how to attract new members and help them make the tennis and social connections that make our club unique. The one area of change that I would like to effect is to simplify some of the rules to make them easier to understand and enforce.
Length of Membership
We have been members at Central Park since January 2019. We moved back to the area after two years in Sydney and were looking for a club that was welcoming to all levels of play and had a "tennis first" philosophy. Right from our first interaction with Laurie, we knew this was the right place for us.
Club Activities
As a family, we have been using all the facilities the club has to offer ranging from the junior program to skills & drills to the gym. I've played several USTA seasons and currently serve on the Tennis Committee as well as the Nominations Committee. I recently inherited the Thursday evening men's tennis group and help organize that weekly event. I've also helped the club gather survey feedback on items such as waitlist rules. Between club organized events, USTA, social and family tennis, you'll find me on the court almost every day of the week!
Professional Background
I graduated from the University of Bombay (now Mumbai) and later completed my MBA from the University of Washington. I started my career in technology but have since pivoted to finance roles within technology organizations. I have worked for consulting firms for most of my career and was fortunate to get a chance to work in three continents (so far).
Outside Interests
Outside of tennis at Central Park, we love to spend time as a family and take family vacations every chance we get. We have visited 8 countries so far and would love to keep adding to the list.
Pam Peters
Platform
I would love to learn more about the working of the club and participate in the continual improvements that we can make in the future. We have such a unique, tight knit community and I would work to preserve that while pushing to improve our facilities.
Length of Membership
We joined Central Park three years ago after playing at the Pro Club for 10 years. Too many Pro Club friends who migrated to CP encouraged us to take the plunge and we are so glad we did!
Club Activities
I’ve enthusiastically participated on USTA teams, Cups, clinics, socials and everything that CPTC has to offer. This past year I served on the Cup Committee, and have captained a USTA team. I am looking forward to get even more involved in the direction of the Club.
Professional Background
I graduated from the Denison University with a degree in Art History, and began working at Foote, Cone and Belding Advertising in NYC and San Francisco. Eventually I moved over to the publishing side of the business, working for American Express Publishing (Food and wine and then Conde Nast (Mademoiselle).
Outside Interests
Several years ago, I became a Master Gardener and have the love the multi faceted volunteer work that has entailed. Currently I manage the Perennials Bed at the Bellevue Demonstration Garden.
For the last ten years I have worked actively with Make-A-Wish as a wish granter which has been an incredible experience.
You will often find me out hiking when I am not on the tennis court!
Fred Wurden
Platform
I grew up playing tennis as a junior at the Kitsap Tennis Club; my mother has competed in PNW and nationally through 75 plus and at age 85 still plays regularly! Through this I understand the value of a club like CPTC to our members of all ages in providing social, recreational, and competitive opportunities. I would like to contribute back by listening to our members and acting on their best ideas. Specifically, I’m interested in exploring ways to expand tennis training opportunities to help members reduce injury, gain strength and agility, and maintain good health through all our tennis-playing years. In my professional life, I am customer obsessed and financially frugal, and as a board member I will focus on matters that are most important to our club members.
Length of Membership
My family joined Central Park in 2012.
Club Activities
I have enjoyed playing on USTA teams since we joined Central Park and have made many friends as a part of those teams. I enjoy doubles nights, cardio tennis, and club socials, the Pickleball Bus social being one of my favorites!
Professional Background
I have held software development leadership roles over the last 25 years at both Microsoft and Amazon. I’ve grown and developed teams to better serve our customers for many global products. I have a BS in Electrical Engineering and MBA, both from the University of Washington.
I was a Board member (6 years) and President (2 years) of the Crystal Mountain Alpine Club, a youth ski racing 501(c)(3) organization. I helped start the CMAC Fund for Excellence capital campaign to fund improvements at Crystal Mountain that would benefit our racers. I was able to collaborate with Crystal Mountain leadership to design and construct an IT system and 2 on-hill race buildings used for regional events at Crystal Mountain with streaming and archived athlete videos.
Outside Interests
Trying to exhaust my German Shorthair Pointers, skiing, hiking, surfing, Scuba diving, and flying.