National Coach Dustin Taylor Joins Har-Tru
Company also announces promotions for Tracy Lynch, Brandy Gentry
Har-Tru, LLC announced this week the addition of former USTA National Coach, Dustin Taylor, and the promotion of two of its longtime associates, Tracy Lynch and Brandy Gentry. The moves support the company’s short- and long-term goals, particularly its expansion into the hard-court coatings market.
Taylor Steps in as Business Development Manager
Taylor comes to Har-Tru fresh off the ATP World Tour as a lead National coach for the USTA. At the 2019 US Open, he oversaw a select group of top American men on the ATP tour, most notably Denis Kudla and Tim Smyczek. Prior to his role as a lead National coach, Dustin was the Associate Head Coach at the University of Virginia where, under he and Head Coach Brian Boland, the team won three consecutive NCAA Championships.
“Dustin is an incredible addition for Har-Tru and will greatly enhance our ability to serve the high-performance customer, such universities and tennis academies,” said Pat Hanssen, Har-Tru’s President. “He understands their needs better than anyone I have ever met, and he is very driven to help others be successful.”
Taylor grew up in Portland, OR and played tennis on scholarship at the University of Tulsa. There he was a division I All-American and NCAA quarterfinalist and Farnsworth senior player of the year before graduating from the business school in 2005. He and his wife Jennie, have four children: Mckenzie (8), Brooklyn (6), Tatum (4), and Decker (2) and reside in Charlottesville, VA. Taylor said, “I want to sincerely thank Har-Tru for the opportunity to be part of one of the most respected companies in the tennis industry.”
Lynch Promoted to Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Tracy Lynch has been with Har-Tru for 21 years, and during his time with the company he has served in a variety of sales and leadership roles. Most recently, he served as Har-Tru’s Director of Sales. Last year he led the launch of Har-Tru Sports Coatings, the first major product line launch for the company in the last 25 years. He also participated in the development and coordination of company marketing activities. As VP of Sales & Marketing, Lynch will continue to develop and lead the business strategy to allow Har-Tru to become a top player in hard court coatings while retaining its leadership role in clay courts, tennis court equipment and accessories. He will also be charged with transforming the company’s sales and marketing organization with the focus on customers, specifically how to leverage the company’s knowledge, experience, and one-stop shop to best serve their needs.
Gentry Promoted to Marketing Manager
Brandy Gentry is in her 13th year with Har-Tru. She began her career with the company in an administrative role before branching into marketing and business systems administration. Discovering a passion for marketing, Gentry began to pursue her college degree and three years ago became the company’s Marketing Coordinator, where she dove into all aspects of the marketing activities. She led the design and build of Har-Tru’s online store and, as store manager, she has grown sales ten-fold in the last 3 years. As Marketing Manager, Gentry will guide the company’s brand strategy and marketing activities, run the online store, and assist with Har-Tru’s international initiatives.
Hanssen stated, “I am incredibly pleased for Tracy and Brandy. They work extremely hard and have a track record of identifying and acting on ways to add value for customers, associates, business partners and vendors. I am also excited for the company, because having the two of them in positions that directly guide and influence strategy and business initiatives will be critical for us as Har-Tru enters a period of rapid growth.”
