December 14, 2024, Pan America secured another Vice President on the WSF Executive Board at the 54th WSF Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Hong Kong, China, as popular outgoing Vice President Pablo Serna (Colombia) stepped down after serving the maximum 8-year term. Mark Pagon (USA) was the first of five candidates to be elected to fill the two vacant positions left by Serna and Karim Darwish (Egypt); signifying unity amongst the membership for the American to help bolster the WSF Executive team as it navigates the unchartered waters of Olympic inclusion. Over the years, Pagon has developed invaluable relationships with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), Comcast/NBC (founding partner of Los Angeles 2028) and the LA2028 Organizing Committee.
The newly elected Vice Presidents Mark Pagon and David Mui (Hong Kong), join incumbent President Zena Wooldridge (England), who stood unopposed, aand current board members Dame Susan Devoy (New Zealand) and Debendranath Sarangi (India).
“I am extremely grateful to the members of the Pan American Squash Federation for their unwavering support throughout the campaign and look forward to progressing the tremendous accomplishments made by my predecessor Pablo Serna, in building stronger ties between the WSF and the Americas” stated Pagon, “Showcasing squash in LA2028 will provide significant long-term benefits to our sport and to all FPS and WSF’s member nations.”
Pagon was an obvious choice given his decades of experience in squash governance in the US. He served 10 years (4 years as Chair) on the board of US Squash, spent 8 year (3 as President) on the Executive Committee of the US Jesters and almost 15 years on the board of SquashSmarts (a non-profit program providing mentoring for underprivileged youth with the Squash & Education Alliance and US Squash) and as the Inaugural Chair of the US Squash Foundation. During his tenure as Chair of US Squash, Mark also spearheaded the fundraising and construction of the world-renowned Arlen Specter US Squash National Center
Throughout Pagon’s life, he has been a high achiever garnishing awards and advanced degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, the University of California and M.I.T. He is a nationally recognized entrepreneur in media and communications and in governance of industry associations, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations. Pan America is proud and excited to have him on the board of the WSF.
The WSF is the main and only official point of contact with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the LA28 Organizing Committee. The WSF will partner closely with US Squash and the PSA Tour in supporting the execution and of squash at the LA28 Games, signing a joint agreement with the LA Organizing Committee.