Special Announcement from the Board of Directors to outgoing Executive Director, Esther Tsai

 
 

Dear Esther,

It is with great pleasure that FWTEC’s Board of Directors dedicates Court 2 as the Esther Tsai Court.

This dedication achieves two objectives. First, it allows us to honor you for six years of exemplary service in a concrete and visible manner. Second, it helps us remember and celebrate everything that was accomplished under your leadership.

The list of your achievements is long and it touches every facet of FWTEC. Here are some of things that were realized under your watch:

  1. Clear definition of our mission

  2. A strategic plan that strengthens our focus on serving under-resourced youth with a trackable action plan

  3. Strong relationships with the Isora Wells Foundation, the USTA, and other institutional donors

  4. Increased giving from our patrons to support our TennisWorks programs through our annual gala and other events

  5. Awareness by the Minneapolis Park Board of the value we provide to the community and approval of a new 20-year lease

  6. New bubbles and courts from a successful capital campaign

  7. Confronting and overcoming the challenges of the pandemic

  8. Written procedures that address every aspect of our operations – accounting, finances, maintenance, safety, and information technology

  9. Creation of an operating reserve to help manage unexpected expenses or revenue losses

  10. A strong balance sheet that allows us to move forward with confidence

A couple of these achievements would have been sufficient to leave a lasting legacy. You achieved all of them. You led by example. No task was too small, no challenge too big. From the complex paperwork involved in applying for federal Covid-19 relief funds to help shoveling snow off the bubbles after a winter storm, you dealt with all of it hands-on.

We now have the difficult task of finding your successor. You set the bar high and it will be impossible to find another Esther. However, we promise to use the strong foundation that you have left for us to find new leadership and continue to build upon your legacy.

As you move on to the next chapter in your life, all of us wish you and your family every happiness and success.

With gratitude and love,
FWTEC Board of Directors.