Our Story

“PICKLEBALL NOISE COMPLAINTS WILL DETERMINE THE FUTURE OF PICKLEBALL.”  HELENA SVEDIN

Quiet Play is causing a movement with implementing Sound Reduction Technology (SRT) in their pickleball paddle production.  A Combined 80 Years of Composites Expertise and Excellence. If it meets military and aerospace standards, it's perfect for the pickleball courts.

Meet the Team

Devon Hammett (CEO) has been in the composite business since 1981. During most of that time, he has built aerospace laminates using carbon fiber prepregs.  He started at Nordam and then moved on to Texas where he manufactured helicopter rotor blades, flight control surfaces, and radomes.  Devon later started Advanced Composites Materials making laminates for aerospace.  He has exclusive specifications he developed for Northrup Grumman for the F16 & F35 fixed wing fighter jets.  Devon is one of the most knowledgeable professionals in material composition and some call him the "Mad Scientist."

 

Neil Friedenberg (Director of Sales & Marketing/Product Development) At a young age Neil first learned the sport from his father, Mark, AKA "Yoda" Friedenberg.  Mark was the founder of the United States Pickleball Association (USAPA), Prolite, a Hall of Fame inductee, and a national Champion.  In 2011, Neil assumed ownership of Prolite from his father.  Under Neil's guidance, Prolite experienced significant growth and led the industry with new innovations.  During his tenure, Prolite launched over 40 distinct paddle models.   He launched the Prolite grip division and expanded into apparel, accessories, and other pickleball related items.  With decades of experience in the sport, he is now bringing his extensive knowledge to Quiet Play.  His vast experience and vision for the sport lead him to Quiet Play because of their dedication to innovation and addressing the prevalent noise issue in pickleball.  Neil is also a pickleball ambassador and his belief of the broader benefits of pickleball.  "Pickleball can shape lives for the greater good."  He emphasizes the sports ability to extend life and cultivate a vibrant social environment.

 

Dan Alter (Engineering) has been in the composite business since 1985.  In his first 11 years he ran a manufacturing plant for composite parts for automobiles, trucks and RV’s. He later went into technical sales at Neste gelcoats and has now spent the past 26 years at Composites One as Advanced Composites Applications Manager.

 

Steg Boyer (Public Relations & Product Testing) Steg is Florida born and grown just like Quiet Play Paddles.  He started playing tennis, racquetball and ping pong in high school.  He attended college on a tennis scholarship and taught tennis throughout his life.  He has always had a passion for paddle and racket sports and naturally gravitated toward pickleball, where he plays daily.  He spent his last 18 years working as an aerospace engineer.  His engineering background is what lead him to Quiet Play.  Once he played the brand, he was thrilled with its performance.  His unique skill set made him a perfect addition to the team.

The Creation of Quiet Play Paddles
As the sport of pickleball grew in popularity, we began to notice a recurring concern: the sound of the ball striking the paddle. It was a noisy issue that became impossible to ignore. That’s when we knew our specialty in advanced technology could help solve the problem. Upon delving deeper into the paddle market, we quickly realized that real innovation had been lacking. Most manufacturers were simply copying existing paddle shapes and laminate designs, often outsourcing production to overseas facilities to cut costs. Their main focus was on reducing expenses, not on improving quality or performance. Listening closely to what customers were asking for, we found that while the paddles were popular, they were often made with subpar materials that didn’t meet the high standards players truly desired. This insight sparked an important question: Why settle for “good enough” when we had the expertise to create something truly exceptional? Determined to make a difference, we set out to design the highest-performing paddles on the market, driven by engineered data and backed by decades of experience. And so, Quiet Play Paddles was born. Built on a foundation of advanced materials, cutting-edge engineering, and a commitment to quality, every element— from the core to the laminate— was meticulously designed and rigorously tested. The result? The best possible performance with the added benefit of stealth-like quieter play.