Meet the 2009
USBC Board Candidates

Tamoria Adams, Charlotte, N.C.
Tamoria Adams has served on the USBC Board of Directors since its inception in 2004 as an original appointees from the former Women’s International Bowling Congress.

She currently is the Greater Charlotte USBC and North Carolina State USBC president and chair of the trustees for the Greater Charlotte Bowling Scholarship Fund.

She served as a WIBC director and fifth vice president and third vice president during 10 years on the WIBC Board. She also was a member of the USA Bowling Board of Trustees, Team USA state coordinator; Charlotte Women’s Bowling Association director and president; North Carolina WBA director; first vice president and president; North Carolina Bowling Council secretary and WIBC and North Carolina WBA delegate.

Adams has four Charlotte (N.C.) WBA titles to her credit, in addition to career-highs of 164 average, 258 game and 599 series.

Why are you qualified to serve on the Board of Directors?

• Hands-on knowledge and experience in the management of local and state associations and USBC.
• Knowledge of the bylaws, rules, regulations and policies.
• Experience in joint task forces with ABC, USA Bowling and BPAA; i.e.: Structure Committee, Joint Legislation, System of Bowling, and Restructure Task Force.
• Good at detail but skillful in conceptual thinking.
• Able to accept, in fact, initiate change for the good of bowling.
• Excellent communication/presentation skills; am a good listener.
• Believe in developing volunteers and better association/proprietor relations.
• Passionate about USBC, but dedicated to seeing the tasks to completion.
  

Michael Carroll, Huntington, W.Va.
Michael Carroll was USBC’s first president and chairman of the board serving three one-year terms from 2004-07. An original appointee to the Board from the former American Bowling Congress, he currently serves on the executive committee.

He is vice president of Allied Logistics with diversified operations in West Virginia, Virginia, Minnesota and New York. His company specializes in warehousing, transportation services, chemical processing and commercial real estate.

Carroll has many affiliations with local and national civic and trade organizations and is a nationally recognized expert in his business profession.

With three state championships to his credit, Carroll became the youngest person elected to the West Virginia Bowling Hall of Fame at age 40 in 1990. He remains an active league bowler.

Why are you qualified to serve on the Board of Directors?

Experience serving at the highest level of USBC coupled with broad business acumen, vision in how to best grow USBC, and a willingness to dedicate three more years of service to the game.

Perry Daniels, Carrollton, Texas
Perry Daniels was first appointed to the USBC Board in 2004 to represent The National Bowling Association. He was re-appointed in each succeeding year.

He is retired after 30 years with IBM Corporation and five years with his own service industry business. He has leadership positions with The National Bowling Association such as local senate president, member of the constitution committee, Southern regional tournament director, national president, national king, national life member and marketing director. Daniels currently is the president of the Dallas Basketball Officials Association.

On the lanes, Daniels has amassed a 290 high game, a 760 high series and a 196 high bowling average.

Why are you qualified to serve on the Board of Directors?

I would like to continue on the USBC board because I believe in the vision and the direction that we are going. I believe that my background in the sport of bowling and youth sports can assist in growing the sport in a very diver environment. We must offer new challenges to USBC, proprietors, state and local Associations and to our bowlers but at the same time maintaining the integrity of the sport.

Margaret “Libbi” Fletcher, Warren, Mich.
Libbi Fletcher was appointed to the USBC Board by USBC President Jeff Bojé in 2007 after Sylvia Broyles retired. She is the Metro Detroit USBC Bowling Association president and was a WIBC director for four years.

A sales support specialist for Logicalis, an international provider of high-performance IT integration solutions, Fletcher was instrumental in the merger of Detroit area local associations, serving as chairperson for the transition committee for the merger of the Detroit Women’s Bowling Association, Greater Detroit B.A., Greater Detroit Young American Bowling Alliance Association and Pontiac (Mich.) WBA.

The 2008 Metro Detroit USBC Hall of Fame meritorious service inductee was the 2004-05 Detroit WBA Woman of the Year. She was a 2001 Pontiac WBA doubles champion, has a high average of 180, high game of 269 and high series of 689.

Why are you qualified to serve on the Board of Directors?

Since my appointment, I have faced the challenges presented head-on, while always keeping the bowler in the settee front and center. As a local leader with over 20 years of experience, my local experience keeps me focused on why USBC exists and how we can continue to grow the sport. By serving on the USBC Board, I recognize that I am the voice of all bowlers, by the creation of programs for bowlers who have yet to become members and enhancing the current member’s experience. I have and will always work tirelessly for certified bowling at every level.

Bob Klatt, Prior Lake, Minn.
Bob Klatt is an account executive for Norex, an information technology networking company. He earned a Master's degree in business from the University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis.

Previously, he spent four years as a residential construction project manager and worked in marketing at G&K Services headquarters. He worked two years as director of marketing and sales for Lind Shoes and five years in management at Cedarvale Lanes in Eagan, Minn.

He is a former nine-year PBA member and volunteer coach of the 2008 Prior Lake High School bowling team. He also umpired professional minor league baseball and trains youth baseball umpires.

Why are you qualified to serve on the Board of Directors?

My greatest strength is a natural ability to connect with people – to inspire, develop relationships, work collectively and harmoniously, and help others to obtain success in their endeavors. It is the sum of my life experiences in being raised in an industrialized town, through factory work, academics, business management and the bowling industry that has shaped my open-minded perspective. I am prepared to serve the bowling community well with a positive attitude and great enthusiasm."

Jay Nephew, Dallas, Texas
Jay Nephew currently is self-employed, providing marketing services for LEKI USA, Inc, the world's largest manufacturer of outdoor sporting poles. Nephew also is co-owner of www.DrillSheet.com, a free online data storage site for bowlers and pro shop owners.

Previously, Nephew worked for AMF Bowling, where he was named "Manager of the Year" in 2004. Nephew also spent several years with Marcel Bowling Enterprises, managing one of the largest facilities in the U.S., the former 80 lane center Olympic Bowl in Rochester, N.Y. Among his duties was as special events coordinator for the Lilac City Tournament. He also helped orchestrate the Professional Bowlers Tour in Rochester.

Nephew began his bowling career at age 3, becoming the youngest bowler in his small hometown of Plattsburgh, N.Y., to be certified at that time. Since then, Nephew has amassed a variety of bowling accomplishments, including the High Roller A-Game, World Team Challenge titles and the Rochester New York Masters. Nephew has competed in several PBA events and has traveled internationally to South Africa, where he captured the Menlyn Open title.

Why are you qualified to serve on the Board of Directors?

I am qualified to serve on the USBC Board of Directors because of my unique three-pronged background; as an athlete, as a proprietor and as a volunteer with local associations. Being able to approach needs from each point of view can offer valuable insight into what it takes to expedite programs that will forward the USBC mission of growing our sport. 

Deanna Rose, Fairport, N.Y.
Deanna Rose currently is an assistant vice president in human resources for M&T Bank. She holds a Master's degree in management from Nazareth College in New York. She has held past board positions in her community and has volunteered with Junior Achievement for six years.

A bowler since age 7, Rose won the New York State Women's Queens Division II in 2003. In 2008, she won the local team association championships. In addition, she placed first five out of six years in the mixed team event at the Wild Irish Rose tournament. In 1998 she held a mixed doubles two-game total city record of 567.

She has held secretary/treasurer for local leagues and for the past two years as league president.

Why are you qualified to serve on the Board of Directors?

I am an educated businesswoman who has enjoyed the sport of bowling since age 7. I now have an opportunity to play a part in enhancing and growing my sport of interest. My experience includes the ability to perform at a board governance level and display the leadership skills required. I have sound knowledge of general business practices, including a solid background in the human resources field. I understand USBC's mission, vision and goals. While I believe my education, work and life experiences qualify me for a Board position, it is my passion for this position that resonates the most.

Gary Sparks, Vincennes, Ind.
Gary Sparks has been an assistant professor of bowling industry management and director of bowling at Vincennes University for 19 years. He previously owned a custom trophy business and spent five years in center management for Brunswick.

He has coached his school’s men’s bowling team to eight National Junior College Athletic Association national championships. He was elected to the National Junior College Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2003 and is a two-time National College Bowling Coaches Association Coach of the Year.

An organized league bowler for more than 35 years, Sparks has served in many roles in state and local bowling associations including as a member of the Indiana State Youth Board of Directors.

Why are you qualified to serve on the Board of Directors?

My qualifications as a candidate for the board include as varied a background as you might find anywhere. I have 20 years of education experience as Assistant Professor of Bowling Industry Management, Vincennes University. Along with being the varsity bowling coach for the past 18 years, I also have previous personal management experience in working for Brunswick Corporation for several years and prior to that owned/operated my own pro shop. In addition, I have a youth organization background as past youth state tournament director for the Indiana State youth organization.

Bob Taylor, Fort Myers, Fla.
Bob Taylor has been employed 28 years with Lee County government and works as a Capital Projects Manager overseeing public construction projects. He is currently overseeing the development of a new $70 million spring training facility for the Boston Red Sox.

Taylor holds a Masters degree in executive management from Hodges University (International College) in Fort Myers, Fla. He was inducted into the Sigma Beta Delta business honors fraternity.

He has been involved in the sport of bowling since age 9. He has been involved in Southwest Florida bowling governance for more than 25 years. He currently is serving as the first president of the fully merged Southwest Florida USBC Association and is a Hall of Fame member of that organization. Taylor has managed a high average of 223, several 300 and 299 games, and a high series of 806.

Why are you qualified to serve on the Board of Directors?

I hold a Masters degree in Executive Management and have served for over 20 years as a project manager for governmental construction projects. I have been involved in local association operation for nearly 25 years and am currently the president of the fully merged Southwest Florida USBC association. I am comfortable working in team environments to solve problems and set goals and objectives. I understand the problems facing the sport of bowling.