The iPickle Nation team exists to bring people together through pickleball. We believe that pickleball has the opportunity to provide community, positive experiences, and fun competition. Our team is here to bring you just that.
WHAT IS iPICKLE NATION?
iPickle Nation exists to bring people together through the sport of pickleball. Our team brings 45+ years of event industry experience combined with pickleball influencers to provide the power of community, the reliability of a consistent experience, and enjoyment of competitive balance to the fastest growing sport in the country.
MEET THE TEAM
Rick Fortuna
iPN Founder & CEO
Rick is the Founder and CEO of iPickle Nation and the Founder/CEO of KC Sports. With 27 years in the sports event management business, Rick brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to iPickle Nation. Over those 27 years, Rick has built his company and National Sports programs from the ground up. Rick believes vision, courage and determination are the building blocks of success.
Michael Cobb
iPN Brand Ambassador, Events Director
Michael is well known throughout the Kansas City pickleball community and plays 5-6 days per week. He competes in tournaments regularly and runs weekly round robin’s at City Center Fitness in Lenexa, KS. Michael is also a rep for the HUDEF brand.
Alex Fortuna
iPN Media Director, Web Development
Alex is in charge of all photography, videography, and rich media development in addition to working on the web development team for iPickle Nation. Alex was born and raised in Kansas City, MO, he grew up playing baseball and wrestling and eventually went on to wrestle in college and earn a bachelor’s of science in Multi-Media from Baker University.
Duane Christian
iPN General Manager
Duane is the Genral Manager for iPickle Nation. A lifelong Kansas City area resident with 20 years’ experience in sports event management. Responsible for event communication, Logistics, Facilities relationship management, event Software management and staffing.