APA Executive Staff

Larry Hubbart and Terry Bell - Co-Founders

In 1979, after several years on the professional circuit and with numerous titles under his belt, Terry "Texas Terry" Bell developed an idea for a centrally controlled nationwide amateur pool organization. He realized how popular billiards was becoming and knew that no organized system for recreational league play existed. So, amid much skepticism among professional players, Bell joined forces with Larry "The Iceman" Hubbart, who was also competing on the professional circuit. Together they founded the American Poolplayers Association, Inc. (APA) in 1981 to act as the  sanctioning body of the League. Previously known as the American Pool League, Busch Pool League, Bud Light Pool League and the Camel Pool League, the APA now sanctions and oversees the APA 8-Ball League and APA 9-Ball League in the United States and the Canadian Pool League in Canada.

Based on their knowledge of the game, Bell and Hubbart developed a unique handicap system, The Equalizer®, to level the playing field in the League. The Equalizer® utilizes a formula that measures a scoring ability by counting the number of turns it takes a player to win a game. The result  is a handicap that determines the number of games a player must win to capture a match. After the handicap system was developed, the APA was formed as the sanctioning body of the League.

Reneé Poehlman - President

Renée Poehlman has held the position of President since April 1995. As President, Poehlman has total responsibility for overseeing the daily operations and future growth for the APA. A graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, Poehlman joined the APA in 1987, where she has held numerous levels of responsibility as Director of Franchise Services, Director of Marketing and Franchise Services and Vice President. Poehlman was appointed to her current position by former APA President Terry Bell, who stepped down to assume a position on the Board of Directors.

In February 1996, Poehlman became one of the first 20 people to complete the Certified Franchise Executive program conducted by the International Franchise Association.  This designation is achieved by completing a  total of 3,500 educational credits through the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. Poehlman's name has been added to the official Honor Roll at the Franchise Educational Foundation in Washington, D.C.

In July 2001, Poehlman was elected to serve in the Billiard Congress of America's (Industry Trade Organization) Board of Directors.