The American Poolplayers Association (APA) recognized their top franchisees with League Operator of the Year awards during its League Operator Convention in late April. The five winners were selected from a group of nearly 300 League Operators throughout North America, with one League Operator selected from each market size.
In the Level 1 Market, John Ervin of the East Texas APA was selected as League Operator of the Year. Danielle & Jesse Hecht of the Louisville APA were the top League Operators in the Level 2 Market. In the Level 3 Market, Pascal Guimond of the CPA Moteregie in Canada was selected League Operator of the Year. Rob Peuplie and Mark Mandic of the APA of Bucks & Montgomery in Pennsylvania were selected in the Level 4 Market. Ken Stapp of the Middle Tennessee APA was awarded League Operator of the Year in the Level 5 Market.
APA recognizes a number of League Operators each year for their accomplishments in running their League area. Those selected as League Operator of the Year receive $1,000 and a trophy.
In addition to recognizing the League Operators of the Year, APA also awarded the Rookie and Journeyman of the Year awards. Chad & Trisha Birch of the DuPage APA in Illinois won the Rookie of the Year Award, while Bobby & Nika Harvison of the Memphis APA were selected for the Journeyman of the Year Award. The Journeyman of the Year is presented to the top League Operator who is no longer a rookie, but not yet eligible to receive the League Operator of the Year award.
APA Co-Founder Terry Bell also named longtime League Operators Preston Granger of the APA Acadiana in Louisiana and former Greater Washington DC League Operators Lee & Jane Tiani as winners of the APA Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually for outstanding career achievements over 20 years or more.
The three-day annual conference, held at the Westgate Vegas, concluded with a formal reception where the winners were announced. This year’s event was the first since 2019 due to the pandemic.
For more info on becoming an APA League Operator, visit https://poolplayers.com/apa-league-operator/.
Journeyman of the Year
Bobby & Nika Harvison – Memphis APA
LO of the Year – Level 1
John Ervin – East Texas APA
LO of the Year – Level 2
Danielle & Jesse Hecht – Louisville APA
LO of the Year – Level 3
Pascal Guimond – CPA Monteregie in Canada
LO of the Year – Level 4
Mark Mandic & Rob Peuplie – APA of Bucks & Montgomery in Pennsylvania
LO of the Year – Level 5
Ken Stapp – Middle Tennessee APA