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All members are encouraged to be actively involved in the association and volunteer when possible, we also invite members to consider running for a position on the Board. The full description of roles and responsibilities for each position can be found in the association’s bylaws.

Please reach out to any of the current members of the Board if you have any questions about their roles, or how you can help your club.

Your 2023/2024 Board Members

The board welcomes input from all members – please reach out with any questions or feedback you have.

President

Joel Harnest (he/him)
vicepresident@vtatennis.ca

While tennis has been a lifelong sport, the last 3 years in particular I’ve become obsessed with training, clinics, tournaments and most importantly – the community! It’s been a pleasure and joy to be a part of the VTA, including Pac Cup, play sessions, socials and travelling for GLTA tournaments.

The club has undergone immense growth in the last 5 years, and I am keen to keep that up with diversifying our membership, supporting beginners and (queer) women and trans folk to join our club too. My personal goals on the court include skills development, and I’d love to pilot a “skills development” stream of programming in the years ahead. Stay tuned for more!

Favourite Shot: Lefty-serve out wide
Favourite Player: Rafa & Angie Kerber
Play Division: B

Vice President

Aiste Ulozaite (she/her)
vicepresident@vtatennis.ca

Tennis is life. Period. Paragraph.

I always felt at home on the tennis court and I hope more people can discover and enjoy the magic of the sport.

Very excited to join the team and see how we can create more opportunities for everyone to play and improve, while building new friendships.

Favourite Shot: Serve (when it works)
Favourite Player: I grew up in the era of Andre Agassi & Gabriela Sabatini and in spite of all the drama I think Djokovic is one of the greatest players of all time.
Play Division: C

Play Director

Patrick Rmeily (he/him)
playdirector@vtatennis.ca

I didn’t know how much joining VTA would mean to me and I regret not joining earlier this community of wonderful human beings from so many different walks of life and backgrounds all coming together for the love of tennis. I have met tons of amazing humans and have made many new good friends because of the VTA. To say that l am proud to be a part of your bigger tennis family doesn’t express my gratitude to all of you enough. And what a wonderful year it has been serving as your play director and now getting voted to do it again! I always try my best to make your experiences as fun as possible and am always happy to listen to any feedback or questions you may have. Hope you all have a great year ahead and see you on a tennis court soon!

Favourite Shot: Double handed FH down the line
Favourite Player: Pat Rafter / Steffi Graf / Monica Seles
Play Division: A

Tournament Director

Jeffrey Hernaez (he/him)
tournaments@vtatennis.ca

I’ve been a club member since I moved to Vancouver in 2017. I’m excited to be back on the board this year. After serving as President the past three years, I’m excited to be focusing on the VTA’s Tournaments. I’m looking forward to our Club Tournament and VIP tournament in 2024.

Favourite Shot: Backhand, Crosscourt
Favourite Player: Serena Williams
Play Division: C

Social Director

Adrian Lewis (he/him)
social@vtatennis.ca

I’m thrilled to be your new VTA Social Director! I’ve been a member of VTA for the past 4 years and have truly enjoyed being part of this wonderful community – forging friendships and competing on court, and most importantly, having fun with a bunch of great humans!

Off the court, I am a chartered professional accountant (CPA) and a realtor, which I believe will bring a unique set of skills that will benefit our VTA community.
I’m looking forward to this exciting journey as your Social Director. Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas. Let’s work together to create unforgettable moments both on and off the court!

Favourite Shot: Forehand down the line
Favourite Player: Roger, Venus, Serena (can’t choose 1!)
Play Division: B

Treasurer

JR Hammond (he/him)
treasurer@vtatennis.ca

Honoured to be back again for another round as treasurer this year! With all the excitement ahead for our 2023/2024 season, I am eager to begin working on our finances to support another fantastic year ahead.

All of our work will continue to be available for our club members and board so please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any insights, questions and opportunities for improvement.

I speak for all of us on the board that we are here for making your experience as a VTA member better!

See you on the courts soon!

Favourite Shot: Net Volley
Favourite Player: Nadal
Play Division: C/B

Secretary

Charles Pflanz
secretary@vtatennis.ca

Will serve my causes.

Favourite Tennis Shot: Alcazar’s drop
Favourite Player: Everyone
Play Division: B

Communications Director

Damian Jolley (he/him)
communications@vtatennis.ca

Summer 2k23 was such a rewarding season for me – both in my tennis, socially in the VTA, and being on the board. The time I put into the club rewarded me back ten-fold. I’m going to continue to put my best into being your Communications Director for 2024, having fun, building deeper connections with the community – and maybe playing some tennis along the way.

Favourite Shot: Board shots and backhand angle™
Favourite Player: You!
Play Division: C

You may also send an email to all board members directly via: board@vtatennis.ca

View Past Executive Committees

2022/2023

  • Jeff Hernaez – President
  • Joel Harnest – Vice President
  • Patrick Rmeily – Play Director
  • Vacant – Tournament Director
  • Vacant – Secretary
  • JR Hammond – Treasurer
  • Eben Nel – Social Director
  • Damian Jolley – Communications Director

2021/2022

  • Jeff Hernaez – President
  • Bob Charlton – Vice President
  • Daniel Ou – Tournament Director
  • Pom Klomjaroon – Secretary
  • JR Hammond – Treasurer
  • Darren St Laurent– Social Director
  • Damian Jolley – Communications Director
  • Vacant – Play Director

2020/2021

  • Jeff Hernaez – President
  • Brian Bella – Treasurer
  • Mitch Hewer – Secretary
  • Vangie Johnson – Play Director
  • Joe Crowell – Social Director
  • Bob Charlton – Communications Director
  • Carmine DiGiovanni – Tournament Director
  • Not Filled – Vice President

2019/2020

  • Brian Bella- President
  • Jeff Hernaez – Vice President
  • John Finlay – Treasurer
  • Michael Alty – Secretary
  • Vangie Johnson – Play Director
  • Joe Crowell – Social Director
  • Bob Charlton – Communications Director
  • Not Filled – Tournament Director

2018/2019

  • Brian Bella – President
  • Jeff Hernaez – Vice President
  • John Finlay – Treasurer
  • Adam Williams – Secretary
  • Vangie Johnson – Play Director
  • Joe Crowell – Social Director
  • James Crowe – Tournament Director
  • Damian Jolley – Communications Director

2017 / 2018

  • Charles Friesen – President
  • Carmine Di Giovanni – Vice President
  • Rachel Sarsan – Treasurer
  • Adam Williams – Secretary
  • Aaron Barrett – Play Director
  • Vangie Johnson – Social Director
  • Harry Young – Tournament Director
  • Damian Jolley – Communications Director

2016 / 2017

  • Charles Friesen – President
  • Paul Wiens – Vice President
  • Rachel Sarsan – Treasurer
  • Adam Williams – Secretary
  • Aaron Barrett – Play Director
  • Joe Crowell – Social Director
  • Jeremy Yang – Tournament Director
  • Brian Oentoro – Communications Director

2015 / 2016

  • Harry Young – President
  • Scott Cumming – Vice President
  • Jaime Ramos – Treasurer
  • Jeremy Yang – Tournament Director
  • Aaron Barrett – Play Director
  • Mitch Hewer – Secretary
  • Joe Crowell – Social Director & Volunteer Coordinator
  • Brian Oentoro – Communications Director

2014 / 2015

  • Harry Young – President
  • Charles Friesen – Vice President
  • Roger Merkosky – Treasurer
  • Jeremy Yang – Tournament Director
  • Bryce Burns – Play Director
  • Otto Chan – Secretary
  • Vangie Johnson – Social Director & Volunteer Coordinator
  • Collin Koo– Communications Director

2013 / 2014

  • Harry Young – President
  • Carmine DiGiovanni – Vice President
  • Roger Merkosky – Treasurer
  • Otto Chan – Tournament Director
  • Bryce Burns – Play Director
  • Vangie Johnson – Secretary
  • Neal Ranzoni – Social Director & Volunteer Coordinator
  • Collin Koo – Communications Director

2012 / 2013

  • Charles Friesen – President
  • Carmine DiGiovanni – Vice President
  • Roger Merkosky – Treasurer
  • Bryce Burns – Tournament Director
  • Harry Young – Play Director
  • Vangie Johnson – Secretary
  • Ben Clermont – Social Director & Volunteer Coordinator
  • Jason Lau – Communications Director

2011 / 2012

  • Brian Bella – President
  • Kathy Kadler – Vice President
  • Harry Young – Treasurer
  • Jamie Ferguson – Tournament Director
  • Michele Sorensen – Play Director
  • Charles Friesen – Secretary
  • Ben Clermont – Social Director & Volunteer Coordinator
  • Jason Lau – Communications Director

2010 / 2011

  • Brian Bella – President
  • Kathy Kadler – Vice President
  • Eugene Ng – Treasurer
  • Charles Friesen – Tournament Director
  • Harry Young – Play Director
  • Jason Lau – Secretary
  • Ben Clermont – Member Services Director
  • David Surette – Past President

2009 / 2010

  • David Surette – President
  • Brian Bella – Vice President
  • Ron – Treasurer
  • Charles Friesen – Tournament Director
  • Harry Young – Play Director
  • Jason Lau – Secretary
  • Ben Clermont – Member Services Director