Johnson Will Lead USTA

Franklin R. Johnson, a former president of the Southern California Tennis Assn., has been chosen as chairman of the board and president of the United States Tennis Assn.

He will take office in January, succeeding Alan Schwartz, who served a two-year term. Johnson had served as first vice president to Schwartz.

Typically, the presidential term is two years, but Schwartz had sought to serve again as president before withdrawing from contention late last week.

The nominating committee interviewed both men.

“Just great exhilaration and relief,” Johnson said Tuesday, of his emotions upon learning of his selection.

Johnson said he would involve Schwartz beyond the usual role of past president, emphasizing the relationships Schwartz has built during his many years in tennis.

Among Johnson’s primary goals are growing the game at the grass-roots level, reversing the decline in “frequent players,” mapping out “a more aggressive program in the public parks” and creating more awareness and accessibility of the USTA’s leagues for recreational players.

Johnson brings an extensive business background to the position. He spent 36 years with the accounting firm Price Waterhouse, serving as the managing partner in its entertainment industry practice in Los Angeles, including the overseeing of Academy Award balloting for 21 years.

The last USTA president with extensive Southern California ties was U.S. District Judge Robert Kelleher, who served in 1967-68 and is in the International Tennis Hall of Fame.