Thakkar Tennis and Pickleball Center Board of Directors

 TC Lackey began his surgical practice in Sebring, Florida, nearly eighteen years ago after settling in the area due to its numerous lakes that reminded him of his Kentucky childhood.  When not performing surgeries and vein treatments, he can be found on the tennis and pickleball courts as President of the HCTA.  He also coaches Sebring High School varsity girls’ soccer and varsity boys’ tennis teams.  However what he loves most is relaxing with his wife and six children.  TC Lackey is a nationally and internationally ranked player and has won multiple gold balls over the past 15 years. 

 Dan was born in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania into a tennis playing family. His grandfather had a clay Court. Summers were packed with court maintenance family competition and regional competition. In 1972 Dan and his father played Bobby Riggs and his son in the Germantown cricket Club national Grass Court tournament. Dan owned and operated a court maintenance company in Pennsylvania, and used to string tons of tennis racquets as well! Dan brings this talent well, perfectly maintaining the clay courts at the Thakkar Tennis and Pickleball Center, but plays less than he would like.  

 Janie moved to Sebring in 1973 when she married the love of her life. She started playing tennis in 1980 because her husband was an avid tennis player.  Janie learned to love the game and  joined the HCTA in 1981. She has coached the Sebring High School girls tennis team for the past 26 years and cherish the relationships she has built with our youth. As well, she has served on the tennis board of the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) for 3 years and was named Coach of the Year by the FHSTCA (Florida High School Tennis Coaches Association) in 2015. 

 Carolyn Shoemaker has been coaching and mentoring students for 39 years. Carolyn recently retired from her position as data operator at Sebring High School after 35 years where she shared her heart with teenagers as they navigated high school scheduling and career plans. During her many years coaching high school cheerleading, her teams received many state and national titles and awards. Carolyn was inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014. Carolyn has been married to Jeff for 50 years and they have 2 daughters/son-in-laws and 4 granchildren. They have lived in Sebring for over 42 years, are active members of Bible fellowship Church and are enjoying playing tennis again after retirement . 

Carey Smith  has been a member of the HCTA, now TTPC, for over 30 years and was involved when TTPC found its permanent home at CCOS. So, we'll call her one of our founding members. She is from Sault ste Marie, Ontario but a snowbird in Sebring since 1984.

You'll find Carey directing intake-checkin at in house tournaments, events and get togethers and as Membership Chair, she knows who's who.

We call him Doc

Thakkar Tennis and Pickleball was begun in 1983, and not long after, Doc made it happen that the land and courts there today would be owned by HCTA (now TTPC). One of the founding members, Doc is a very well known Gastroenterologist here in Sebring and few here don't know of him primarily through The Thakkar Foundation and with his lovely wife Dr. Tarlika Thakkar and their benevolent landmarks: YMCA, Lakeside Theater, Meals on Wheels as well.

Joe and wife Suzanne have lived in Avon Park since 1988. Joe has been President of V&W Farms, Inc of Delray Beach since 1988. He has served as Board Chairman and President of the Dairy Cooperative Southeast Milk, Inc from 1997 until retirement in 2022.During this time period, Joe was also a Board Member of the dairy national trade association, National Milk Producers Federation, and serving on many more boards and committees in the industry. From 2007-2009 Joe served as Councilman for the City of Avon Park. From 2011-2023 Joe served as a member of the District Board of Trustees for South Florida State College. Joe, Suzanne and son Charley presently own 3 W Ranch LLC located in the Lake Placid area. Joe received a B.S. degree in Business Admin., M.B.A. and a Juris Doctor all from the University of Florida. (He's a Triple Gator)