2019 Austin Table Tennis Election Candidates
ONLINE BALLOT : https://forms.gle/Pbk95hLoFzCAVYg49
President - Incumbent Masoud Mojtahed
Dear ATTC Members,
For those of you who may not know me, my name is Masoud Mojtahed. I am currently the president of Austin Table Tennis Club. I have been a member of ATTC since year 2000. I have been passionate about table tennis since the age of twelve. As an American/Canadian citizen my love and dedication for this sport has culminated in the opportunity to represent Canada and USA at the world stage. As part of Canadian (until 2017) and USA Para-national team in many elite international competitions, winning many international titles. Recently in 2017 I was a gold medalist in the Para Pan-American Games in 2017 in team event. In 2018, winning two bronze medals for USA in US Open. Away from the sport of table tennis, I work as a senior manager and principal engineer at Intel Corp for over 20 years. I am also a proud father of two boys, with a wonderful wife who have always been supporting me in life and sport.
My passion to table tennis comes from 40 years ago when I started training table tennis as a youth. Both the coaches I have trained in the past, as well as the clubs where I have trained and been an active member have shaped my journey and experiences in the sport of table tennis. Alain Bourbonnais (North American Champion), John Macpherson (Canadian National coach), Angie Bengtsson (USA Table Tennis Hall of Fame) are among those of the notable coaches I have worked with; they have ingrained in me the necessity for passion and hard work to achieve meaningful results. Over the past 33 years I have been a member of the Ontario, Vancouver, and Montreal Table Tennis Clubs, as well as the Austin Table Tennis Club (ATTC) where I have been actively involved. My combination of training and member experiences, participating at world level tournaments offer unique insights into the comprehensive needs of both table tennis players and club in order to be successful.
As a board member at ATTC from 2013 to 2015, I made impact towards the growth of the club. As a CDC member (Coaching Development Committee) along with two other CDC members implemented a coaching policy for ATTC for the first time in 2016. Since 2017 I have been the president of ATTC. Along with a wonderful and professional board members we have achieved many milestones. Among those are financial stability, monthly financial reports available to members, growth in youth and adult coaching program. Hire a world level class coach, provide opportunity to Patrick as assistant coach to Shahin, and also opportunity to other coaches. Sponsorship of youth players and coaches to two national tournaments a year. Membership growth. Starting a senior program. Hiring a great operational manager, Jon Dorn, who is an all-timer at ATTC, and many more, but the most important one to bring unity among members more than ever. I believe with the help of members and board I can lead ATTC to improve youth and adult training program, have a consistent financial growth at the club to allow further sponsorship to youth program, start a league at the club levels within Texas, and high-tech league within Austin area during the off-pick time of the club to better utilize the facility. Provide employment to those members who would like to work at the club in the future, and more. One of the passion I have is to start a Para-program at ATTC. I have been working with Clayton to achieve that. I would need your support for continuous improvement and growth of this club.
Sincerely,
Masoud Mojtahed
For those of you who may not know me, my name is Masoud Mojtahed. I am currently the president of Austin Table Tennis Club. I have been a member of ATTC since year 2000. I have been passionate about table tennis since the age of twelve. As an American/Canadian citizen my love and dedication for this sport has culminated in the opportunity to represent Canada and USA at the world stage. As part of Canadian (until 2017) and USA Para-national team in many elite international competitions, winning many international titles. Recently in 2017 I was a gold medalist in the Para Pan-American Games in 2017 in team event. In 2018, winning two bronze medals for USA in US Open. Away from the sport of table tennis, I work as a senior manager and principal engineer at Intel Corp for over 20 years. I am also a proud father of two boys, with a wonderful wife who have always been supporting me in life and sport.
My passion to table tennis comes from 40 years ago when I started training table tennis as a youth. Both the coaches I have trained in the past, as well as the clubs where I have trained and been an active member have shaped my journey and experiences in the sport of table tennis. Alain Bourbonnais (North American Champion), John Macpherson (Canadian National coach), Angie Bengtsson (USA Table Tennis Hall of Fame) are among those of the notable coaches I have worked with; they have ingrained in me the necessity for passion and hard work to achieve meaningful results. Over the past 33 years I have been a member of the Ontario, Vancouver, and Montreal Table Tennis Clubs, as well as the Austin Table Tennis Club (ATTC) where I have been actively involved. My combination of training and member experiences, participating at world level tournaments offer unique insights into the comprehensive needs of both table tennis players and club in order to be successful.
As a board member at ATTC from 2013 to 2015, I made impact towards the growth of the club. As a CDC member (Coaching Development Committee) along with two other CDC members implemented a coaching policy for ATTC for the first time in 2016. Since 2017 I have been the president of ATTC. Along with a wonderful and professional board members we have achieved many milestones. Among those are financial stability, monthly financial reports available to members, growth in youth and adult coaching program. Hire a world level class coach, provide opportunity to Patrick as assistant coach to Shahin, and also opportunity to other coaches. Sponsorship of youth players and coaches to two national tournaments a year. Membership growth. Starting a senior program. Hiring a great operational manager, Jon Dorn, who is an all-timer at ATTC, and many more, but the most important one to bring unity among members more than ever. I believe with the help of members and board I can lead ATTC to improve youth and adult training program, have a consistent financial growth at the club to allow further sponsorship to youth program, start a league at the club levels within Texas, and high-tech league within Austin area during the off-pick time of the club to better utilize the facility. Provide employment to those members who would like to work at the club in the future, and more. One of the passion I have is to start a Para-program at ATTC. I have been working with Clayton to achieve that. I would need your support for continuous improvement and growth of this club.
Sincerely,
Masoud Mojtahed
President - Candidate Kip Iwakiri
Hi! My name is Kip Iwakiri. I've been a member of the Austin Table Tennis Club's community for a little over seven years now and a director-at-large for the last two. I've been a volunteer for nearly every tournament in Austin since joining as a member and additionally have hundreds of volunteer hours assisting with our coaching programs.
I have four major goals as president of the Austin Table Tennis Club during this two year term:
1. Develop our youth program. We have the talent and the population in Austin to grow. It's time to find our future competitors and to support and empower our coaches, Shahin and Patrick, to develop our community's latent potential.
2. Coordinate our competitive community. We used to regularly send 20+ players to every tournament in Texas with half the membership base and now rarely send more than 6. Together, we'll find ways to make it easier for members to join our competitive teams abroad and give more opportunities to enjoy the game.
3. Bring Austin to the Austin Table Tennis Club. The greater Austin area is growing at an enormously fast pace - without us. We should be the figureheads and hosts of local events like The Startup Games to expand our reach. We'll take every opportunity to find our stride with Austin and beyond.
4. Exemplify and preserve our culture. Austin Table Tennis Club has one of the best, if not the best, communities to learn table tennis. We are one of the only clubs dedicated to its community with the range and depth of players that we have. There's always someone to play at Austin Table Tennis Club and we'll be sure to keep it that way.
If you have any questions or concerns about me, my plans for achieving these goals (or if you'd just like to hit), please feel free to reach out to me directly at kipiwakiri@austintabletennis.net or via the Austin Table Tennis Slack (austintabletennis.slack.com), @Kip. We've got a lot to do in these upcoming years and I'm looking forward to serving this community that I love so much!
-Kip
I have four major goals as president of the Austin Table Tennis Club during this two year term:
1. Develop our youth program. We have the talent and the population in Austin to grow. It's time to find our future competitors and to support and empower our coaches, Shahin and Patrick, to develop our community's latent potential.
2. Coordinate our competitive community. We used to regularly send 20+ players to every tournament in Texas with half the membership base and now rarely send more than 6. Together, we'll find ways to make it easier for members to join our competitive teams abroad and give more opportunities to enjoy the game.
3. Bring Austin to the Austin Table Tennis Club. The greater Austin area is growing at an enormously fast pace - without us. We should be the figureheads and hosts of local events like The Startup Games to expand our reach. We'll take every opportunity to find our stride with Austin and beyond.
4. Exemplify and preserve our culture. Austin Table Tennis Club has one of the best, if not the best, communities to learn table tennis. We are one of the only clubs dedicated to its community with the range and depth of players that we have. There's always someone to play at Austin Table Tennis Club and we'll be sure to keep it that way.
If you have any questions or concerns about me, my plans for achieving these goals (or if you'd just like to hit), please feel free to reach out to me directly at kipiwakiri@austintabletennis.net or via the Austin Table Tennis Slack (austintabletennis.slack.com), @Kip. We've got a lot to do in these upcoming years and I'm looking forward to serving this community that I love so much!
-Kip
Secretary - Unopposed Sunil Idnani
Director at Large - Incumbent Zhiyu "Diane" Liang
Dear ATTC members,
For those who don’t know me, I am Zhiyu “Diane” Liang. I am currently the Director at Large at ATTC for the last two years. Along with other board members, I worked hard on various tasks to improve the club and to reach its mission, such as improving financial transparency and growth of the club, expanding the youth and adult training programs, leading the effort of tournament committee for successfully running the tournaments, hiring the operational manager for club and staff management, and resolving conflicts and operational issues as they rise in a timely manner.
I am a table tennis fan and have been coming to the club since 2009. Though I have a busy schedule as a pediatrician, I still come for training and practice regularly. While in the position of Director at Large, I gained a deeper understanding of the club operation. I would like to continue to be part of the team to better the club and improve experiences for the members. And personally important for me, I aim to continue working to create a fair and open atmosphere in the club where all the voices are heard and everyone respects each other while enjoying table tennis.
Thank you for your continuing support.
Sincerely,
-Zhiyu “Diane” Liang
For those who don’t know me, I am Zhiyu “Diane” Liang. I am currently the Director at Large at ATTC for the last two years. Along with other board members, I worked hard on various tasks to improve the club and to reach its mission, such as improving financial transparency and growth of the club, expanding the youth and adult training programs, leading the effort of tournament committee for successfully running the tournaments, hiring the operational manager for club and staff management, and resolving conflicts and operational issues as they rise in a timely manner.
I am a table tennis fan and have been coming to the club since 2009. Though I have a busy schedule as a pediatrician, I still come for training and practice regularly. While in the position of Director at Large, I gained a deeper understanding of the club operation. I would like to continue to be part of the team to better the club and improve experiences for the members. And personally important for me, I aim to continue working to create a fair and open atmosphere in the club where all the voices are heard and everyone respects each other while enjoying table tennis.
Thank you for your continuing support.
Sincerely,
-Zhiyu “Diane” Liang
Director at Large - Candidate Cesar T Serna
Most of my Table Tennis career I have been a competitive tournament player. These past few years my passion for Table Tennis has transitioned more to coaching and helping others enjoy the sport of Table Tennis.
More than ever, I have a high desire to give back to the sport and Table Tennis community that has provided me with so much joy and happiness in life.
I would like to use my Table Tennis life experience to assist the Austin Table Tennis Association with:
-Growth
-Vision
-Sound decision-making
-Leadership
-Ethics/Philosophy
BIO
Name: Cesar T Serna
Age: 38
2nd generation Table Tennis player
Years playing Table Tennis: 25
Highest USATT rating: 2156
Favorite title: 2002 US Nationals – U2000 2nd place
States traveled to play TT: TX/CA/LA/FL/NV/NY
More than ever, I have a high desire to give back to the sport and Table Tennis community that has provided me with so much joy and happiness in life.
I would like to use my Table Tennis life experience to assist the Austin Table Tennis Association with:
-Growth
-Vision
-Sound decision-making
-Leadership
-Ethics/Philosophy
BIO
Name: Cesar T Serna
Age: 38
2nd generation Table Tennis player
Years playing Table Tennis: 25
Highest USATT rating: 2156
Favorite title: 2002 US Nationals – U2000 2nd place
States traveled to play TT: TX/CA/LA/FL/NV/NY
Director at Large - Candidate Chris Rosin
My earliest memories of ping pong are fuzzy and related to my childhood passion, basketball. As a basketball gym rat growing up in Auburn, Maine, our local YMCA had a well-worn recreational table with sandpaper paddles. At the 'Y' in the 1980's, ping pong to me was a child's game that was played to kill time before the start of our next basketball game.
Injury and age ended my hoop dreams in my early twenties, and the absence of competitive basketball left a void in my soul that lasted for a decade - until I found table tennis in 2007 at Austin Table Tennis Club (ATTC).
That year, the Austin American Statesman published a feature, Call of the Pong, which described in fantastic detail a vibrant table tennis club hidden away on the second floor of Uncle Bob's Storage Facility on North Lamar. Curiosity piqued, I made my way to the club with a coworker. We realized very quickly there was a level of table tennis we had never imagined. But we also had a blast and enjoyed the competition and especially enjoyed the interesting people we met at the club.
In 2010 and 2012, my wife Rosina, and I, celebrated the birth of our children, Olivia, and Philip. In 2015, my daughter began taking lessons at the club and a few short years later, my son followed in his sister's footsteps. I have been impressed with the professionalism of the coaches and staff of ATTC.
As Director at Large, I would put focus on these three key areas: our youth program, growing the club thru sponsorships and donations, and dealing with the depreciation of the facilities.
I believe the foundation of our club begins with a strong youth program. We must ensure the kids love the sport, and we must attract young athletes who might not be aware of our sensational game or that it is an Olympic and professional sport.
A plan for growth is also vital for the continued health of the club, which should include the pursuit of sponsorships and donations from Austin's booming corporate citizens.
A plan for the depreciation of the physical structure is also paramount.
Finally, I would always be open to feedback and suggestions from our great community and ensure all concerns are raised with the board.
ATTC is a microcosm of our great city. Like Austin, ATTC is vibrant, diverse, and welcoming. I will work to ensure that our beloved club continues to thrive as the home of table tennis in our great city.
Injury and age ended my hoop dreams in my early twenties, and the absence of competitive basketball left a void in my soul that lasted for a decade - until I found table tennis in 2007 at Austin Table Tennis Club (ATTC).
That year, the Austin American Statesman published a feature, Call of the Pong, which described in fantastic detail a vibrant table tennis club hidden away on the second floor of Uncle Bob's Storage Facility on North Lamar. Curiosity piqued, I made my way to the club with a coworker. We realized very quickly there was a level of table tennis we had never imagined. But we also had a blast and enjoyed the competition and especially enjoyed the interesting people we met at the club.
In 2010 and 2012, my wife Rosina, and I, celebrated the birth of our children, Olivia, and Philip. In 2015, my daughter began taking lessons at the club and a few short years later, my son followed in his sister's footsteps. I have been impressed with the professionalism of the coaches and staff of ATTC.
As Director at Large, I would put focus on these three key areas: our youth program, growing the club thru sponsorships and donations, and dealing with the depreciation of the facilities.
I believe the foundation of our club begins with a strong youth program. We must ensure the kids love the sport, and we must attract young athletes who might not be aware of our sensational game or that it is an Olympic and professional sport.
A plan for growth is also vital for the continued health of the club, which should include the pursuit of sponsorships and donations from Austin's booming corporate citizens.
A plan for the depreciation of the physical structure is also paramount.
Finally, I would always be open to feedback and suggestions from our great community and ensure all concerns are raised with the board.
ATTC is a microcosm of our great city. Like Austin, ATTC is vibrant, diverse, and welcoming. I will work to ensure that our beloved club continues to thrive as the home of table tennis in our great city.
Director at Large - Candidate Rick Mueller
My Name is Rick Mueller, I would like to serve the club as a Director at Large on the board for the 2019-2021 term. I have been involved in the Austin Table Tennis Organization since 1994. It has been a huge part of my life. When I walk into the club and see that all the tables are full of people playing table tennis and enjoying their lives in that way, well, it simply makes me very happy as I see it as a bright spot in the world and my life. I care about the well-being of the club very much as it is a healthy and super fun avenue of expression for almost anyone on this planet. My love for table tennis seems never ending. I have invested so much time and work a on a personal level and it has paid rich dividends for my health and well being. I want to make sure the community continues to have access to our organization and enjoy the same benefits I have. I would also like to continue to promote Table Tennis in America as one of the greatest sports on earth. I believe the way to do this is to provide excellent service to the membership and support and continue to develop the systems and programs in the club to make even better than it already is.
Director at Large - Candidate Tuan Tran
Austin, TX
May 13, 2019
Dear ATTC members,For those of you who may not know me, my name is Tuan Tran. I have been living in Austin for more than 20 years and I have been an active member of ATTC since … the club was formed. My Dad taught me how to play table-tennis when I was 7 years old, and I grew great love for this sport ever since. I spent many years in competitive table-tennis, and now I am playing for exercise.
Being a long time member of this club, I have seen the ups and downs of ATTC. I have decided to run for the Board because I think it is time for me to contribute to the growth of the club. If I am elected, I would work hard to bring the club to new heights. I would like to:
I would like to hear your concerns, feedbacks, and suggestions. My contact information is shown on the left.
I believe that with a positive mind and effort, we together can make this club a better place for all members.
Sincerely,
Tuan Tran
May 13, 2019
Dear ATTC members,For those of you who may not know me, my name is Tuan Tran. I have been living in Austin for more than 20 years and I have been an active member of ATTC since … the club was formed. My Dad taught me how to play table-tennis when I was 7 years old, and I grew great love for this sport ever since. I spent many years in competitive table-tennis, and now I am playing for exercise.
Being a long time member of this club, I have seen the ups and downs of ATTC. I have decided to run for the Board because I think it is time for me to contribute to the growth of the club. If I am elected, I would work hard to bring the club to new heights. I would like to:
- Promote a friendly atmosphere at the club where all members can come, play, train, and have fun.
- Enhance the training programs for beginners, cadets, juniors, and adults.
- Support the Coaches and Assistant Coaches.
I would like to hear your concerns, feedbacks, and suggestions. My contact information is shown on the left.
I believe that with a positive mind and effort, we together can make this club a better place for all members.
Sincerely,
Tuan Tran