By Ted LePak

(April 24, 2012) - The United States Professional Tennis Association’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee have brought to light more news on their plans to move forward following Tim Heckler’s planned retirement as chief executive officer. Heckler will retire at the end of this year following 30 years of service.

Heckler announced his intent to retire earlier this year and was offered a one-year severance package through the end of 2013, which was ratified by a vote of the entire Executive Committee.

A search committee consisting of eight board members, two executives, and one former president, will take on the task of hire a new Executive Director. An announcement will be made in the near future about the timeline and application process.

“We need to find someone who brings what Tim Heckler brought to the table,” said former USPTA president Ron Woods. “It will be hard to find someone with those qualifications.”