The USBGF Board of Directors election is underway. All members in good standing are eligible to vote. Members may vote until 11:45 p.m. EST, Wednesday, December 10th, 2025. Each member may submit only one ballot.
The vote will be taken through SurveyMonkey.com. Current members will receive an email from john@usbgf.org via SurveyMonkey <member@surveymonkeyuser.com>
The email will contain instructions on how to vote. Members may vote for 1 to 4 candidates. A candidate may receive only one vote from a member.
We have four board seats to fill and 8 candidates to choose from. The candidates are:
- Remington Davenport
- Ben Friesen (incumbent)
- Sultan Haddadin
- Roberto Litzenberger
- John Pirner (incumbent)
- Kara Schultz (incumbent)
- Pailyn Singhapakdi
- Antoinette-Marie Williams (incumbent)
Remington Davenport
I want to join the Board because I care deeply about the future of backgammon in the United States and believe we are at a pivotal moment for growth, visibility, and modernization. Over the last 3 years, I’ve dedicated my career to expanding the game, bringing in thousands of new players, building inclusive communities, and proving that backgammon can thrive when it becomes culturally relevant, accessible, and fun. I would be honored to bring this momentum to the USBGF. Serving on the Board would allow me to contribute to shaping the long-term vision of the federation and ensure that the next generation of players feels inspired, represented, and welcomed into the world of competitive backgammon.
My goal is to help the USBGF grow its membership, increase national participation in tournaments, and build stronger connections between local clubs, youth programs, and major tournaments. I want to continue pushing for modernization, improving digital experiences, strengthening community engagement, and elevating the profile of the game through media, storytelling, and strategic partnerships.
I also want to champion diversity and inclusivity by expanding opportunities for women, younger players, and members of underrepresented communities. Ultimately, I hope to help build an ecosystem where backgammon in the United States feels unified, thriving, and forward-thinking, with a clear pathway for new players to learn, compete, and fall in love with the game.
I bring a unique blend of community-building, event production, marketing, and organizational leadership. As the founder of NYC Backgammon Club, I have hosted 250+ events, grown a 5,600-person mailing list, I've had 4,100 people attend my backgammon events, and built one of the largest and youngest backgammon communities in the world. I have hands-on experience creating successful programs such as multi-division leagues, branded events, tournaments, women-focused initiatives, college and neighborhood ambassador programs, and national team development.
My skill set includes strategic growth planning, sponsorship development, digital content creation, and brand partnerships, areas that are essential for expanding the federation’s reach. I also bring strong communication skills, a deep passion for teaching and outreach, and a proven track record of bringing new players into the game at scale. Above all else, I bring enthusiasm, fresh perspective, and an unwavering commitment to growing backgammon nationwide.
Ben Friesen (incumbent)
As a Board member, my goals are threefold:
Expand participation and engagement by supporting innovative programming, improving communication, and making the game more accessible—particularly to new and developing players.
Strengthen operational excellence by applying data-driven processes to membership growth, event quality, and educational initiatives.
Enhance fundraising and partnerships to ensure long-term financial health and support high-impact projects, including youth education and digital expansion.
I bring a blend of strategic, operational, and community-building experience. Professionally, I have extensive background in operations management, risk management, analytics, and service delivery, all of which translate directly into effective Board governance. Within the backgammon world, I have directed major ABT tournaments, built data systems to analyze performance and participation, and cultivated strong relationships across clubs, volunteers, and players nationwide.
I’m committed to helping the organization thrive, serve its members effectively, and grow the next generation of players.
Sultan Haddadim
Even though I am not a U.S. citizen, I have always admired the professionalism, passion, and energy of the American backgammon scene.
The USA is one of the world’s leading centers of backgammon, and I would be honored to contribute my international experience to support its continued development.
For me, joining the Board is not only about representing players — it is about building bridges between the U.S. and the global backgammon community, expanding the reach of the Federation, and sharing knowledge and ideas that strengthen the game everywhere.
My main mission is to help the Federation grow internationally and deepen its relationships with other federations, organizers, and players around the world.
I want to:
- Promote cultural and competitive exchange through events, collaborations, and international participation.
- Modernize how backgammon is presented, using online events, youth programs, and fresh digital content that highlights the strategic beauty of the game.
- Strengthen communication between the USBGF and international members so everyone feels included, represented, and connected.
Above all, I want to be a voice for players — especially those from outside the U.S. — ensuring that all members feel part of the Federation’s mission and future.
I bring a combination of international experience, player insight, and communication skills that I believe will support the Board’s goals:
- Active tournament player: I understand the modern player’s needs, challenges, and expectations.
- International perspective: My experience across various countries helps me identify new opportunities for global collaboration.
- Strong communication & promotion skills: I use modern tools — digital platforms, social media, and community engagement — to promote the game effectively.
- Teamwork & professionalism: I value fair play, transparency, and working together to achieve shared goals.
Support for international members: I understand the logistical and time-zone challenges international players face, and I can help bridge that gap with the USA-based board.
My goal is to contribute positively, learn from experienced Board members, and help backgammon grow in recognition, respect, and accessibility worldwide.
Roberto Litzenberger
Playing, discussing, and building tournament backgammon has been a full-time passion for over a decade. I want to continue supporting tournament players, advocate for their needs, and help ensure that everyone has a great experience at every event. My goal is to help our community keep growing by increasing participation in both live and online tournaments and by strengthening the sense of connection among players.
I want to increase players’ access to information, communication, and understanding of everything the USBGF offers. The more people who truly feel that this is their federation, the more we can all accomplish together.
I have been an active member of both the calendar and eligibility committees, and I have entered tournament and statistical data for the Backgammon World Ranking since its inception in 2018. I run Players Cup BMAB events, coordinate the circuit, and record and premiere thousands of backgammon matches on YouTube. I also teach, attend national and international tournaments year-round, and stay in close contact with players about their experiences. All of this gives me a strong, hands-on understanding of our community’s needs. I can contribute meaningful ideas to help build, expand, and continually improve our federation and the events we all enjoy.
John Pirner (incumbent)
Serving on the USBGF Board of Directors is an opportunity to support and grow the backgammon community. I have been President and Executive Director for the past 5 years. During those years we have doubled membership, launched a new website, created new opportunities for players including BMAB For Local Clubs and Backgammon For Everyone, and we are weeks away from launching a mobile app. However, our 3 most important accomplishments have been 1) putting a financial and management structure in place that doesn’t rely on donations and volunteers, 2) developing and deploying the new OTS which has brought modern technology to live and online tournaments, and 3) assembling an incredible staff dedicated to serving the community.
We have a financial structure in place now that provides dependable income and a reserve fund that will see us through storm clouds when they appear. I would like to use our financial strength to support and strengthen the ABT, to develop additional services for members, to expand education, and to draw in local clubs and help them grow. My dream is to have enough income to hire a full-time Executive Director who wakes up in the morning with only backgammon on their daily agenda. Such a person could bring long and lasting stability to the USBGF.
My career was in business which taught me the value of cash flow and good management. I listen to everyone who wants to talk, I try to understand opinions that I don’t agree with, and I have been successful at finding the right person for the roles we need to fill. I founded Gammon Stuff, a retailer of backgammon sets and equipment. Gammon Stuff is a USBGF Corporate Sponsor and has provided a great deal of support to ABT tournaments. This is a wonderful community and I want to support it and be a part of it.
Kara Schultz (incumbent)
My goal is to strengthen the foundation we’ve been building by continuing to create clear pathways for player growth, making the game more welcoming and accessible, and helping the USBGF grow in a sustainable way while improving the member experience and increasing awareness of backgammon in the United States. I want to continue refining our competitive pathways, expanding opportunities for women, and supporting the development of clear, transparent processes, while also contributing to broader initiatives like fundraising, outreach, and marketing that can help the organization reach new audiences and deepen its long-term stability.
I bring experience from my current role on the board, as well as hands-on involvement with both the Women’s National and National Team Committee. Professionally, my background is in marketing, and I think those skills such as storytelling, positioning, and audience engagement can be very useful as we work to raise awareness, grow membership, and build a stronger presence for the USBGF. I’m comfortable leading, collaborating, and rolling up my sleeves when needed, and I try to bring a balanced and positive perspective to Board discussions.
Pailyn Singhapakdi
Backgammon has shaped the way I think: strategically, probabilistically, and with the discipline to stay composed under pressure and uncertainty. I want to help strengthen the institutions that support the game and guide its evolution. We’re at an exciting moment. Technology is transforming how players train, and new competitors are emerging from every corner of the country. I hope to help steward that momentum with clarity, steadiness, and a long-range view.
My priorities are threefold:
Expand participation.
Bring more young professionals and new competitors into the game (players who will carry backgammon forward into the next generation).
Strengthen the Federation’s national profile.
Build partnerships with cultural institutions, universities, and strategy-driven organizations to position backgammon as the premier mind-sport in the United States.
Champion smart, modern integration of technology.
Technological advancements have the potential to redefine how players learn. I want the USBGF to play a role in what that looks like, rather than simply responding to it.
In my professional and civic engagement work, I help grow mission-driven organizations by expanding membership, crafting clear messaging for diverse audiences, and building programs that turn casual interest into sustained engagement. With strong experience serving on a variety of boards and committees, including as a leader, I’ve partnered with founders, nonprofits, and policy organizations, giving me a deep understanding of how to scale communities while protecting the culture that makes them meaningful.
I also bring the instincts of a passionate player. I study the game and follow the evolution of training software and how backgammon as a community is growing. I’m particularly interested in how the right strategies can make the game more accessible to newcomers while strengthening the competitive landscape for devoted players.
In short: I bring long-term strategic thinking, governance experience, and a genuine love of the game and intend to help us stay focused, modern, and ambitious with the intent to scale.
Antoinette-Marie Williams
My passion for backgammon started almost 50 years ago. I enjoy playing and teaching people of all skill levels. I believe that my ability to communicate with the world at large will support the USBGF mission to bring more players into the game.
Currently, I support the organization as a Bronze Founding Sponsor and lead the educational program for the USBGF Women of Backgammon. By inviting world renowned players, this program seeks to get more women involved in the game and elevate their skill level. I also served as the Commentary Manager for the USBGF video streaming program and recruited top players to provide expert commentary on ABT matches.
I am especially eager to increase the number of young people playing backgammon. I am working towards establishing a backgammon program in the NYC elementary school system. At the request of the Columbus/Amsterdam Better Improvement District, I started giving free backgammon lessons every other Saturday in Manhattan, NY, outdoors on Amsterdam Avenue and West 109th Street. I partner with DOROT, an intergenerational organization that pairs senior citizens with young students, to provide instructional backgammon and chess sessions. I am pursuing an opportunity to start free backgammon lessons at the Game Store on Broadway and West 114th Street in NYC.
As a USBGF board member, I will use my teaching and partnership skills to spearhead new programs — especially those designed for kids.
