Ken has been working in the tennis industry for over 35 years, first as a high school coach and then as Director of High Point Park Tennis Center. From 1972 to 1977, he coached tennis at Plano Senior High and taught tennis through the City of Plano’s Parks and Recreation Department. In 1977, he contracted with the City of Plano to run the soon-to-open High Point Park Tennis Center.
He is a past president of the USPTA Texas Division and served on the board of directors for 10 years. In 1994, he received the Texas Division “Community Service Award” and in 2007 received the “Professional of the Year Award”.
He served on the national USPTA executive committee for four years. In 2002, he received the joint national USTA/USPTA Community Service Award.
He has served as a volunteer with the Dallas Tennis Association and in 2000 received the organization’s “Pro Volunteer Award” and in 2005 the “Nancy P. Jeffett Lifetime Achievement Award”.
For the USTA Texas Section, he has served on the Nominating, Junior Recreation, and Awards committees. In 1997, his family (wife Pam, daughters Christy and Lauren and son, Clint) was recognized as the organization’s “Family of the Year”.
In 1991, he and Pam started the “Children Helping Children Junior Singles” tournament and fundraiser benefitting Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. In the following 18 years, the event has raised over 2.2 million dollars. In 2007, they were recognized for their work by receiving the 2007 Children’s Medical Center Distinguished Service Award. In 2008, they were honored by being listed on the “Founder’s Wall” at Children’s Medical Center Legacy, a new branch of Children’s Medical Center.
He was nominated by a fellow “Children Helping Children” volunteer to participate as a Torchbearer in the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Torch Relay. After being selected, he was thrilled to run a leg carrying the Olympic Torch as it passes near downtown Fort Worth in December 2001.
He grew up in Celeste, Texas where he played high school tennis and the summer junior tournament schedule. He played junior college tennis at Central Texas College in Killeen, TX. He was graduated with a B.S. with Honors in Physical Education at the University of Texas at Austin in 1972.