McMahon Careers Launches Initiative to Help Develop & Support Young Professionals as Directors in the Racquet Sports Industry

Ryan Johnson, JD, USPTA, CRSE, to serve as Young Racquet Sports Professionals Liaison and lead a Young Racquet Sports Professionals Advisory Board for McMahon Careers

McMahon Careers is the private club industry’s only racquet sports-focused Executive Search, Career Coaching and Executive Education firm. McMahon Careers team members recognize that generational differences, including alternate priorities and competing work/life balance considerations, can create a career perspective for young professionals that is often vastly different from someone who may have been in the workforce for 20, 30, or even 40 years.

As well, in the racquet sports industry, roles with the same “Director” title can demand quite different skills and experiences to achieve success. Seemingly similar roles can often require differing amounts of teaching time, management responsibilities or operational expertise.


McMahon Careers believes it is critical that young professionals who aspire to career success as a Director of Racquet Sports, have relevant and appropriate information about the industry and employment market. To make good career decisions it’s also important to understand the different career pathway options available in an evolving industry. McMahon Careers plans to help young professionals secure this information easily and in a relevant fashion.


To help McMahon Careers serve young racquet sports professionals as they navigate their career path, McMahon Careers has engaged Ryan Johnson, JD, USPTA, CRSE to serve as the firm’s Young Racquet Sports Professionals Liaison. In his role, Ryan will connect with and support young racquet sports professionals who currently work, or aspire to work, as a Director of Racquet Sports. Johnson will also help young professionals identify relevant career-advancement opportunities when positions open, and help establish, curate, and maintain regular and relevant communication with young professionals through a variety of communication and outreach activities.

To further engage and work with this important demographic, McMahon Careers is establishing a Young Racquet Sports Professionals Advisory Board that Ryan will lead. Advisory Board members will include a diverse group of young, career-focused professionals who also desire to help and support other like-minded professionals.

Communication and outreach activities are projected to include:

  • Articles, blog posts and relevant social media dialogue

  • Educational presentations (live and virtual)

  • Highlight USPTA Elevate, the Director of Racquet Sports Program and Mentor Program

  • Represent McMahon Careers at select industry events, conferences, and trade shows

  • Work alongside McMahon Careers Executive Search consultants on relevant Searches

  • Share information about the Certified Racquet Sports Executive (CRSE) Program

  • Provide guidance to McMahon Careers consultants and staff.

With data suggesting the average age of a racquet sports professional is over fifty, McMahon Careers is committed to helping nurture and provide relevant and modern connections to young career professionals who aspire to lead a program as the Director of Racquet Sports.

McMahon Careers has recently helped multiple clubs fill positions where the Director was retiring after more than 20 years of service, and two of these clubs were replacing a retiring Director after 32, and 42 years, respectively. The long-term success of the racquet sports industry is in the hands of a new generation of professionals who will lead successful programs for the next 20, 30 or 40 years. It is this generation of professionals that McMahon Careers believes can benefit from Ryan’s contributions, and the support of the Young Professionals Advisory Board.


About Ryan Johnson, JD, CRSE, USPTA

Director of Racquet Sports at Paradise Valley Country Club

Ryan Johnson is the Director of Racquet Sports at Paradise Valley Country Club and has an extensive background in all aspects of racquet sports management including, but not limited to, programing; marketing; strategic planning; tournament operations; junior and adult coaching, budgeting, staffing, and operations.

In addition, Ryan is currently serving as the Head Pickleball Tester for the USPTA Southwest, Board Member for the USPTA Southwest, and Elevate Committee Chair for the USPTA Southwest. Ryan is an Elite Professional with the USPTA and Adult Development Professional with the PTR. He also has a Professional rating with the PPR and certification with the IFP. Ryan has also earned his designation as a Certified Racquet Sports Executive (CRSE).

In 2021, Ryan was the recipient of the USPTA Southwest Elevate Award and was also recognized as the USPTA National Elevate Professional of the Year.