— Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
We have assembled a fabulous team of passionate pickleball players and ambassadors going to China on this tour. Join UCA NPL now, and you could be on our next tour!
Feng Xiao — Weston, Florida
Mr. Xiao is the chairman of the UCA National Pickleball League. He is the driving force and the main organizer of the UCA International Pickleball Tour.
In 1991, Mr. Xiao earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Wuhan University at age 18. He came to the United States in 1993 and earned his Master’s Degree in Applied Mathematics from Florida International University. In 2014, he became the first and only Florida Supreme Court-certified Mandarin interpreter in the state of Florida. In 2019, he enrolled in the Shepard Broad Law School of Nova Southeastern University with a full scholarship. In 2022, he graduated with the second highest GPA of the whole class, earning Suma Cum Laude and Dean’s List. He was directly accepted by the Attorney General’s honor program into the Department of Justice upon graduation, working as an Attorney Advisor for the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge in Richmond, Virginia. In 2024, Mr. Xiao started his law firm in Florida, dedicating his legal expertise to serving the local community.
Mr. Xiao started playing pickleball in 2022. He is a PPR-certified PRO and a USAPA L1 Referee. He invented a pickleball scoring device called “Referee on Court” (ROC in short) and started a pickleball company with his closest pickleball friends. He also published a book on Amazon Kindle about pickleball titled “More Pickleball, Always Fun Time!” He firmly believes that pickleball has the potential to transform people’s lives for the better and is dedicated to promoting the sport internationally.
Mr. Xiao is multi-talented and has many other interests. He enjoys traveling and meeting new friends, sharing common interests, and learning from each other at the same time.
Xiaofang Fan — Weston, Florida
Mrs. Fan is a full-time pickleball player and ambassador. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Hunan University in 1991. She came to the United States in 1994 and earned her Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Florida International University in 1999.
Mrs. Fan has always been active in the local community and loves helping others in need. She has many interests, particularly in all sorts of sports.
Currently, Mrs. Fan serves as the vice chair of the UCA National Pickleball League and is a board member for several other non-profit organizations. She plays pickleball almost daily and loves promoting pickleball internationally.
Kurt Heisey — Westfield, PA
I’m Kurt Heisey. During high school and college, I was an avid ping pong player and wrestler. After earning my master’s degree in Biblical counseling, I spent many years planting churches in small towns across New York and Pennsylvania. To support myself, I started a business developing machinery for the construction industry, which eventually expanded to serve customers in over 30 countries. Over the course of 20 years, I made more than 50 trips to many Chinese cities including our manufacturing shops in China.
Through my extensive travels in China, I developed a deep appreciation and love for the Chinese people. Their culture and hospitality have been a compelling reason for me to continue visiting, even in semi-retirement. I also spent time studying Mandarin in Wuxi, Jiangsu, and still return to visit friends there two or three times a year.
About three years ago, I was introduced to pickleball, and my competitive nature drew me into tournament play—especially at the senior level. My brother and I won the 2024 New York State and Pennsylvania Senior Championships in mixed doubles. I’ve since progressed from 3.5-level tournaments to competing in 4.0 and 4.5+ events.
Now, I’m excited to play in Changsha, Wuhan, and Yuxi—cities in China where I’ve yet to compete in pickleball. I look forward to making new friends and connections along the way!
Caralyn Evans — Cary, North Carolina
I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2017 and now work as a Project Manager for enterprise level coaching for the Leadership Development practice at Keystone Partners.
My dad (Rob Evans) first introduced me to pickleball over 2 years ago and I have been playing almost every single day since, playing competitively for the last year. I have competed on the PPA tour in Las Vegas (where I won gold), Columbia, SC for the first Challenger series and most recently in Cary, NC on my home courts.
I love pickleball and am extremely excited to be joining this group and traveling to China to introduce the sport that I am so passionate about to others! I am looking forward to experiencing the Chinese culture, meeting new people and learning from them as well.
Xin Luo — Weston, Florida
Xin Luo is a Product Manager in the Bridge and Tunnel group at Bentley Systems Inc, the global leading provider of infrastructure engineering software. He has spent the past 15 years working on Bentley’s bridge solutions, mainly focused on the LEAP and LARS bridge products. Prior to joining Bentley, Xin worked as an engineering consultant at WSP USA, a world-leading engineering and design firm, where he was responsible for the structural modeling, analysis, design, contract plan production, cost estimating, quality control, and post-design services through various infrastructural projects including highway interchanges, water overpasses, and other transportation structures.
Xin received his Ph.D. in engineering from both the University of Tennessee, USA and Southeast University, China. He is also a registered Professional Engineer.
Xin started playing pickleball in May 2022 after his friends convinced him to try it. He was immediately hooked and has been addicted ever since. He is a founding member and partner of the South Florida Great Wall Pickleball Club. He also enjoys playing beach volleyball.
Wei Liu — Parkland, Florida
Hi, this is Wei Liu. I am a former member of the Chinese National Women’s Volleyball Team. In 1993, my journey brought me to the United States, where I continued my volleyball career on an athletic scholarship while simultaneously pursuing academic excellence in finance and accounting.
Following my collegiate career, I received my certification as a Public Accountant in 2000. Today, I work as an FP&A Manager at a private home warranty company.
Three years ago, I discovered pickleball and found myself immediately captivated by the sport’s unique charm. There is no comparison to the way I love playing pickleball. I love how people interact on and off the courts; I love the rhythms of the game; and I love the energy and the community that come with it! What resonates most deeply with me is the genuine joy pickleball brings to its participants. I’ve noticed how players remain focused and genuinely happy during play—a special quality that has helped make this rapidly growing sport an integral part of my life’s journey.
Rob Evans — Richmond, Virginia
Hi, I am Rob Evans. I am a plant ecologist with a long career in land and endangered species conservation having worked for federal, state, and non-profit organizations. I have been married to Emily for over 30 years and have 3 children.
I developed a love for racquet sports, and table tennis at an early age. I was lucky to be a first hand participant in “ping-pong diplomacy” in the 1970’s, when I was chosen to play a visiting Chinese table tennis star in my small hometown. Now that I’ve “grown up” and developed a love for the game of pickleball, I can’t help thinking how great it will be if I can play a small role in bringing our cultures a little closer together through this game, much like happened so many years ago when I was a child learning ping pong.
Here in Virginia I play pickleball regularly at a competitive recreational level, mostly with guys half my age. I’ve never been to China before but look forward to a great trip experience with other participants and those we will meet along the way. I hope it will be memorable and positive for all of us in so many ways. I’m so appreciative of the opportunity!
Elsie Koo — Morganville, New Jersey
Elsie Koo is an experienced educator, entrepreneur, and youth advocate with a professional background in finance and international business. After earning her CPA and MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business, Elsie held leadership roles at top global firms including JP Morgan, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Driven by a deep passion for working with children and teens, Elsie made a career shift from finance to education. In 2010, she took ownership of a single learning center in Marlboro, New Jersey, which she successfully expanded into five locations. Building on that success, she later co-founded One-Stop College Counseling, where she continues to serve as CFO, helping students and families navigate the path to higher education.
Having recently sold her tutoring business, Elsie now devotes more time to volunteer work with KiDz HuB Media Network, a nonprofit organization where she serves on the board and supports its mission of giving youth a global voice. She has also found a new passion in pickleball, a sport that has brought her not only joy and community, but also helped her turn around past health issues. Elsie is committed to continuing her journey as a player while encouraging others to experience the physical, mental, and social benefits of the game.
Elsie currently lives in Marlboro, New Jersey, with her husband, Steve. She is a proud mother of three children—two in college and one in medical school. Fun fact: Born in Hong Kong to Shanghainese parents, Elsie spent much of her childhood in Ghana and Nigeria before returning to Hong Kong for high school and later moving to the United States for college.
Chong Kim — Frisco, Texas
Born in South Korea and moved to the United States with my 4 siblings, Mom and Dad in the 1976. With the hopes of providing an opportunity for us make something of our lives, my Parents came with $500 in their pocket and close on our backs. I try my best everyday to never let them down or regret the sacrifice they made for us.
Sports History:
Co-Ed NCA National Championship team member in High School.
Attended Tyler Junior College on a cheerleading scholarship to further my education.
Coached Women’s Gymnastics in my College years and early 20’s.
Marathon Runner, Triathlete, Volleyball player, mountain biker, skier, soccer coach/player and Now Pickleball Addict.
-Best known for traveling to all 50 States within 45 Days while spreading Mental Health Awareness. Several news articles and local News Station interviews have documented my journey.
Record attempt history:
Found out about the Guinness World Record for Longest Marathon playing pickleball in Missoula, Montana. Met and played with one the record holders during my 50 States of pickleball journey. Dory told me that she was a World Record holder but she thought the record had been broken by a team in the United Kingdom. SO we looked it up on the Guinness website and it was true. A team had beaten her record with a total time of 34 hours and 5 minutes. I remember telling her that day, I plan to break that record and bring it back to the US. This was always in the back of my mind traveling to my other destinations to play pickleball.
Katherine Taylor — Orange County, California
Katherine Taylor is a PPR and DUPR Certified Pickleball Coach based in Orange County, California, and proudly rated as one of the top 5-stars coaches in the region. A graduate of the University of California, Irvine, Katherine brings a lifetime of athletic experience—spanning tennis, racquetball, and golf—which made her transition into pickleball both smooth and natural.
She discovered pickleball during the pandemic, and it transformed her life. Since falling in love with the sport in 2021, Katherine has embraced pickleball as more than just a game—it’s a fun, active lifestyle and a community she’s deeply passionate about.
Driven by the belief that the best way to learn is to teach, she became a certified coach and now plays and coaches every day. Her greatest reward? Watching students go from total beginners to confident players who truly enjoy the game. Katherine’s mission is to elevate her students’ skills and share the joy of pickleball wherever she goes.
She’s currently seeking opportunities to coach at retreats and events around the world, continuing to grow the sport and inspire others—one dink at a time.
Steven Koo — Morganville, New Jersey
Steven Koo is the proud father of three accomplished children and the husband of Elsie Koo. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised on Long Island, New York, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from NYU’s Stern School of Business. Steven began his career at HSBC as a credit analyst before moving into a software implementation engineer role at Risk Management Solutions. He later worked in risk management consulting at Moody’s, where he remained until his recent retirement.
Steven discovered pickleball about 18 months ago and quickly grew to enjoy the sport, though he is currently taking a break to recover from recent shoulder surgery. In retirement, he enjoys spending time with family, traveling, staying active, and pursuing new interests.
Kainan Sun — Orlando, Florida
Hello everyone, my name is Kainan Sun, and I currently reside in Orlando, Florida, USA.
I was born in Fushun City, Liaoning Province, China. From 1998 to 2004, I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Engineering Physics from Tsinghua University. I then came to the United States and studied at the University of Iowa from 2004 to 2008, where I obtained a Master’s degree in Biostatistics and a Ph.D. in Public Health. Since 2008, I have been working in the field of pharmaceutical big data analysis, having held positions at the New York State Department of Health and at IQVIA, the largest healthcare data consulting company in the U.S., providing data analytics services to major pharmaceutical companies around the world.
I began playing pickleball at the end of 2022 and have been playing for nearly three years. I am currently one of the key organizers of the Feilong Pickleball Club, a Chinese community pickleball group in Orlando. Like many pickleball enthusiasts, my initial curiosity turned into passion. I’ve come to realize that pickleball is not just a sport or hobby—it’s a way of life. I’m excited to make friends through pickleball and to stay active and engaged with players from diverse regions and cultural backgrounds.
Colby Logan — Allen, Texas
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Colby Logan has been a lifelong athlete, playing a wide range of competitive sports throughout his youth. He ultimately focused on tennis in high school, earning a top-30 state ranking in men’s singles. Colby went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University and became a software engineer at the dawn of the internet, building web applications.
Now 50, Colby is married with five children and plays pickleball nearly every morning with friends at Lifetime Fitness in Allen, Texas. A passionate player of both singles and doubles, he draws on his tennis background to continuously elevate his game. Colby is thrilled to share his love of pickleball as he travels to China for international competition.
Terri Paterson — Dallas, Texas
Born in Texas, Terri Paterson’s early life was shaped by her father’s career, leading her to Holland and Germany before returning to Texas at the age of four. Her adventurous spirit continued in high school, where she moved to Brazil and later completed her senior year in Michigan.
A lifelong athlete, Terri has participated in a variety of competitive sports, including team handball, soccer, tennis, basketball, volleyball, golf, and softball, both in her youth and as an adult. Currently, she plays tennis competitively and has embraced the sport of pickleball over the past three years, actively participating in multiple tournaments and leagues to enhance her skills.
Terri graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management. Her professional journey has taken her through the hotel industry and healthcare, and she is currently thriving in the field of commercial real estate.
Now at 56, Terri is happily married and a proud mother of two boys, Morgan (22) and Maddox (20). Sports remain a vital part of their family life, with pickleball emerging as her true passion. Terri eagerly looks forward to sharing the joy of the game with as many people as possible.
Runbiao Liu — Orlando, Florida
My name is Liu Runbiao. I was born in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, and obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering from South China University of Technology. Later, I earned my Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering from New York University in the United States and obtained expert certification from Cisco Systems. I worked as a technical backbone and leader in the Network Technology Department at Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company for over twenty years, engaging in network planning and design, procurement, engineering installation, operations management, and other related work.
I began playing pickleball in 2022, and it has been three years now. I am a key board member of the Flying Dragon Club, a Chinese pickleball organization in Orlando, and one of the active participants in various pickleball-related activities and competitions. I am passionate about all kinds of pickleball activities, competitions, and promotion. As the saying goes, “When three people walk together, one of them can be my teacher.” While mentoring beginners, I also reflect on and summarize my own experience. Playing with peers of similar skill levels to learn and improve together tests my technical proficiency and consistency. Learning from higher-level players provides opportunities to discover areas for improvement and future development directions – all of which are beneficial and enjoyable pursuits. I believe more and more people will come to love this emerging sport, and I am willing to contribute to promoting this sport.
Laura Maala — Bismarck, North Dakota
My name is Laura Maala. I’m originally from Estonia, but I currently live in Bismarck, North Dakota. I’ve always been active and enjoy participating in a variety of sports. I was a cross-country skier for nine years and also played basketball for a few years. I hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting and I am currently attending nursing school to become a registered nurse.
I started playing pickleball about two years ago and have since won several tournaments in women’s doubles at the 4.0 level, as well as in mixed doubles. In addition, I was part of a team that played pickleball for 36 hours, setting a new Guinness World Record. I enjoy challenging myself, meeting new people, and learning something new every day.
Christopher Suelzle — Watford City, North Dakota
My name is Chris Suelzle, and I was born and raised in Watford City, ND. I graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in Political Science. I then attended the School of Law at the University of North Dakota and graduated with my Juris Doctor. Post-college, I practiced as a criminal and family law attorney for two years in western North Dakota. After that, I specialized in energy law and worked for Marathon Oil Company for 9 years in North Dakota and Texas. Currently, I am the Director of Minerals Management for the State of North Dakota.
I have played sports my entire life. Throughout high school, I played basketball, American football, track and field, golf, and baseball. In college, I continued to play amateur basketball and became a certified basketball and football referee. I mainly officiate varsity high school and local college games. I continue to play basketball and golf, and enjoy downhill skiing when I have free time.
Coaching Experience: In the past, I have coached several sports, including basketball, American football, baseball, and golf. I was also a certified lifeguard and have taught swimming lessons to children. Pickleball: I started playing pickleball about 2 years ago and have played in several local tournaments. I enjoy the sport and have met many new people from our community by doing so.
Arthur Xiao — Weston, Florida
My name is Arthur Xiao. I am currently attending the 11th grade at the American Heritage School in Broward County, Florida. This is a great private school, and I am in their pre-law program with a scholarship. I am preparing to apply to college these days.
I played tennis when I was younger. After my parents introduced pickleball to me, I fell in love with the sport. I have been trying to promote it at school because I believe it is very beneficial to teenagers. It is a fun and social sport that provides a good amount of exercise. I hope I can do more to grow the sport internationally. I like going to the gym and working on different equipment. I also like making friends wherever I go.
Raul De Castro — Weston, Florida
Raul De Castro brings a multifaceted experience to the court from his background in financial services, as well as his career as a former professional baseball player, University of Miami College World Series Champion, and MLB Yankee draftee. Now fully immersed in the world of pickleball, he channels that competitive spirit into creating fun, energetic, and inclusive experiences for players of all levels.
As the founder of Base to Pickle, Inc., Raul leads with passion and purpose, offering coaching, tournaments, and community events that elevate the sport. While he loves to compete, his ultimate goal is to make sure everyone has a great time on the court.
Nannette Staropoli — Naples, Florida
Nannette Staropoli is a seasoned Marketing Strategist and the Founder of Markit Group. With over 30 years of experience in branding and content marketing, she leads high-impact campaigns for major sports events, including the US Open Pickleball Championships.
An avid pickleball enthusiast, Nannette actively champions the sport and supports pickleball-related brands through her professional work, while also enjoying the game as a competitive player. Her involvement extends to community-building through the USOP National Pickleball Center in Naples, Florida.
Nannette is thrilled to join the UCA China/US Pickleball trip, looking forward to fostering global connections through the shared passion for the game and cultural exchange with hosting partners.