Subscribe

News

Hop-a-Razzi expands team, adds NY office

August 2, 2013

Northbrook, Ill. — Christi Turdo, a tennis teaching professional who designed and patented the Hop-a-Razzi line of tennis ball baskets with built-in wheels, has named Gary Thomas as National Sales Manager and Liza Horan as Head of Brand Strategy & Engagement as part of expansion efforts at the start-up manufacturing company.

“For three years I was Hop-a-Razzi myself — designing the product, securing the patent, working trade shows, selling orders, packing shipments, mailing orders,” says Turdo, a USPTA-certified pro and entrepreneur who owns the Glenbrook Racquet Club in Northbrook, Ill. “Once I got the patent and secured funding, I could go from a piece of paper to an actual business. Gary and Liza bring deep experience in sales, marketing and media, as well as in tennis, and they are key members of the Hop-a-Razzi team. It’s a very exciting time!”

Thomas leads a sales team of six people based in the Chicago area. He’s a longtime advertising and marketing agency executive, who was most recently with Alloy Media & Marketing. Thomas is certified as a PTR Master of Tennis in Junior Development. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Illinois, and an associate’s degree in tennis management from Tyler Junior College.

Horan heads marketing, advertising, public relations, and digital out of the New York office. She’s a tennis industry stalwart, having worked on the media side for more than 20 years. Prior to her recent tenure at ESPN, Horan launched and ran TENNIS.com for a decade, founded TennisWire.org, and served as the longest-running president of the U.S. Tennis Writers’ Association. She earned an M.S. in strategic communications from Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree from Mount Saint Mary’s University.

In addition to building the staff for sales, marketing and operations, Hop-a-Razzi has a new warehouse stocked with three tennis hopper models that come in 144 vibrant color combinations. All models feature built-in wheels, a 360-degree weld for durability on all steel joints, and tubular handles. The Classic model, which holds 95 balls, is stackable. The Junior Hop (65-ball capacity) and Pro Hop (125-ball capacity) feature lids for easy portability and storage of balls, and the adjustable-height handles convert to sturdy legs so the baskets can stand.

Hop-a-Razzi products are available at Midwest Sports, Holabird Sports, and Hoparazzi.com, and by calling 800-931-1561.

ABOUT HOP-A-RAZZI

Hop-a-Razzi is a line of innovative tennis ball baskets with built-in wheels that makes ball pickup fast, easy and fun for everyone. The patented design provides a superior experience on court so players of all ages, heights, strengths, and abilities can hit more balls for their time and money. The powder-coated steel baskets come in 12 vibrant colors that make 144 color combinations – perfect for teams. The built-in wheels roll smoothly on all surfaces for easy trekking across town or the court without damaging the basket or the surface. Hop-a-Razzi is a division of CET Tennis Enterprises.