Interview with USATT Executive Director Dwight Johnson

I am a retired U.S. Air Force officer, serving 21½ years. In the Air Force, I was a Services Squadron Commander. I was responsible for all of the lodging, food operations, sports and fitness centers, social clubs, libraries, youth centers, child development centers, auto skills centers, rod and gun clubs, stables, aero clubs, marinas, golf courses, bowling centers, and mortuaries. My last job was Deputy Director of Services at AF Space Command, and I had seven bases with all of the above and more. With an over $45 million budget of non-taxpayer money, I had to make a profit with the golf courses, bowling centers, social clubs, marinas, stables, rod and gun clubs, and auto skills. We had to break even in the food operations, lodging, youth centers, and child development centers. In the remainder, there was taxpayer money to sustain the operation. Before my military career, I was in city recreation in Aurora, Colorado. I also taught high school for two years.

Tell us about your personal background.

I am married with three children. My daughter is in college and plays soccer for her school. My oldest son is a senior in high school and is a left-handed pitcher who may play in college. The youngest is 9 years old and loves to play soccer, basketball – anything that has a ball involved. I hope that he will take up table tennis.

What exactly are the responsibilities of the Executive Director of an Olympic Sport? And how are these duties different from the President and Board of Directors?

The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the sport. The ED is also responsible for being the liaison between the USOC and the sport. Financial responsibility also is a major part of the job of ED. That also means doing fund-raising for USATT. The President and the Board of Directors work with the ED and set the vision and direction for the headquarters staff. The ED and headquarters staff then work to achieve the goals and objectives as set down by the President and Board of Directors.

Any personal philosophies you use in the performance of your job?

My philosophy is that of a "servant leader." As such, I am here to serve the membership and the Board of Directors. I am a very firm believer in customer service. I look at the Board of Directors and the membership as "customers."

What were your short-term (or intermediate) goals when you were hired last March, and did you achieve them? What have been your major accomplishments?

My immediate goal was to understand the game of table tennis and how USATT, USOC, and ITTF work. I am beginning to understand the game of table tennis. I am also learning how USATT, USOC, and ITTF work together.

What have been your major disappointments so far?

Not being able to play the game with any competitiveness. I can play, but I want to get better.

What are your future plans and goals for USATT?

To grow the sport of table tennis and expose it to the general population while improving the standings of our national teams within the world of table tennis. This means extensive development of relationships with sponsors and television exposure.

What are the three most important issues coming up for USATT?

1. Development of recreational players to become serious players and compete in table tennis events. This will have to be done in many different ways: school programs, grassroots camps, sponsorship programs, etc. Another way is to work with AmericasTeams and our website. With this exposure, we may generate interest by recreational players for the game of table tennis.

2. Assisting our elite athletes and coaches devote full-time to table tennis. I am looking for a company that is willing to invest in the future of table tennis to help with this. We have a strategic development plan, and we will have to stick with this plan so that we will be able to medal in future Olympic Games.

3. Use the past of table tennis to help our future. What I mean by this is the sport that opened up China to the world. We now need to cultivate this 30-year-old achievement and use this to help train our athletes of today and the future. "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" is not just a historical fact, but rather an idea that still lives today both for our country and our sport.

If you could change one thing about our sport, what would that be?

More fan involvement at tournaments. We need to have some cheering going on. At the Worlds, I saw the Japanese audience cheer throughout the matches. We need to do the same.

What has been the best experience so far?

Seeing the headquarters staff at their best with the work they do for our membership on membership services, ratings, tournament planning and execution, and many other areas.

And the worst?

I do not have any. I do not look at "worst experiences" but rather what can I learn from an experience so I can improve for the future. Let’s be positive and not negative.

What has been the most "eye-opening" experience?

How the world rallied around USATT after the September 11th attack. That was most gratifying. As a former member of the AF and knowing several people that were involved in the Pentagon attack, my heart grew with each e-mail or letter to USATT from around the world expressing their thoughts and feelings for us.

Any interests outside your obvious #1 interest of table tennis?

Oh yes! My family is #1 in my life along with my faith in God. After that comes volleyball. I have played volleyball for almost 30 years and played for the USA Armed Forces in 1986. I still play volleyball today on an over 45 team. It is great to be young and playing a lifetime sport. Now I have to learn how to play another great lifetime sport – Table Tennis.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Yes Larry, it is up to all of us to help grow the sport and develop corporate sponsors. Remember keep the ball on the table!