The United States Tennis Association-Florida Section (USTA Florida) Board of Directors this week introduced Laura Bowen as the association’s new executive director.
Bowen joined USTA Florida in 2011 as the director of marketing, membership and sponsorship. She replaces Doug Booth, who retired as executive director in December after 29 years with the association.
“After an exhaustive search of more than 70 applicants from all over the nation, the search committee decided that our own Laura Bowen was the most qualified person to continue leading the USTA Florida Section in our efforts to stay one of the leading sections in the nation,” said USTA Florida President Robert Hollis. “She has exhibited excellence, dedication and the leadership skills and qualities we were looking for.”
In her seven years with the organization Bowen has implemented some of USTA Florida’s most innovative programs and services. Internally she spearheaded a digital virtual community for staff and volunteer communications, a state-of-the-art customer relation management system, and a revised digital platform and website. Externally she launched Tenis para Todos, a Hispanic tennis initiative and website adapted nationally by the USTA, the blacklight-tennis XGLOsive LIGHTS OUT tour, and has overseen the successful launch of USTA Florida’s Tennis Management Division to assist struggling tennis facilities across the state.
Prior to joining USTA Florida, Bowen established herself as a top voice in the real estate industry. She spent eight years as director of executive communications for the National Association of REALTORS® in Washington, D.C., where she created and oversaw all communications for the association’s leadership team. One of her hallmark accomplishments was the creation and management of a nationwide Home Ownership Matters bus tour in 2011, which covered more than 30 states in nine months.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Born in Florida, Bowen credits her family for bringing her back home to the Sunshine State and introducing her to tennis. Her mother, Sandy, currently runs a Masters Tennis program for senior players in The Villages.
Established in 1949, USTA Florida is a section of the United States Tennis Association. It is a not-for-profit volunteer organization with more than 40,000 individual members and more than 500 organizational members and a $4 million budget. As the official governing body of tennis in Florida, USTA Florida operates from an executive office in Orlando next to the USTA National Campus with more than 40 staff members and more than 600 volunteers throughout the state working towards a mission to promote and develop tennis in Florida.
To learn more visit www.ustaflorida.com.
