Striking Spotlight

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Steve Szabina
IBPSIA Executive Director
800-659-9444
steve@ibpsia.com
On the Web: IBPSIA.com

ARLINGTON, Texas – Peter Somoff of Federal Way, Washington, has been named
president of the International Bowling Pro Shop & Instructors Association, the
organization announced this week.
The appointment comes after Nebraska’s Dwyane DaMoude stepped down. DaMoude
had been IBPSIA’s president since 2020.
Somoff is an IBPSIA Master Instructor and USBC Gold coach, who joined the IBPSIA
Board for the first time in 2019 and became vice president in 2021.
He has spent decades contributing to the bowling industry as a competitor, pro shop
operator, coach, and expert in all pro-shop-related topics, most notably traveling the
world conducting training and seminars on behalf of Storm Products Inc.
As the new president, Somoff will focus on growing IBPSIA membership and
membership value, while creating an environment where everyone knows their opinions
will be welcomed and heard.
Establishing the organization as the ultimate resource for a broader audience also will be
a priority. That may include pro shop operators, proprietors, or novices looking for
assistance, access to the pro shop or other equipment, information sharing, new levels of
education and training, and more.
“IBPSIA used to be a place to go to get information, but that has changed in many ways,”
Somoff said. “You can see so much online now, so we have to continue to change and
grow and try to be more things. The more we can offer, the more value people will see in
being IBPSIA members, and the more others will want to be involved.”
The new IBPSIA vice president was selected by a board vote on August 16, and David
Bolt of Champaign, Illinois, will fill the role. Both office terms will continue through the
end of 2022.
Bolt has been involved in the bowling business for 35 years. As the proprietor of two
centers, which includes running the pro shop in both, he is familiar with all aspects of a
successful facility and how all the components work together.
He has been part of the IBPSIA board for nearly a decade and served as the
organization’s president in 2016 and 2017. He’s excited to be back in a lead role as
IBPSIA continues to evolve.
“IBPSIA is headed in the right direction, and I’m looking forward to being involved with
what’s ahead,” Bolt said. “You have your main lines of sight and interaction in a bowling
center, which typically are the main counter and snack bar area, but the pro shop is just as
important in serving the customers, getting feedback in a more private environment, and
growing leagues and events. It’s definitely an area that deserves time and resources.”
DaMoude will remain on the IBPSIA Board of Directors through the end of 2022 when
his two-term limit concludes. He has served a variety of roles with IBPSIA since 2018.
Outside of his pro shop expertise, he is a longtime USBC-certified coach and advocates
for youth and high school bowling.
He also has been a big part of the growth and success of Sun Valley Lanes in Lincoln,
Nebraska, over the last two decades and recently was named as the head bowling coach at
Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska.
Additionally, board member Tom Wicker of Dallas recently resigned to focus on other
projects. His place on the IBPSIA board will not be filled until the next review of
applications and selection of the board in the fourth quarter of 2022.
“We know our sport and organization are in a constant state of growth and evolution, and
we are grateful for those who continue to serve and contribute,” said IBPSIA Executive
Director Steve Szabina. “We want to wish Dwyane and Tom the best in their new
endeavors and celebrate those stepping into new roles, where they’ll help us continue our
progress and introduce new benefits and initiatives.”
For more information about IBPSIA, visit IBPSIA.com.
About IBPSIA
The International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association is for pro shop
operators, instructors, and industry supporters, who value education and the benefit of
standardization throughout the industry.