The Board of Directors of the Ojai Tennis Club announced the designation of Joe DeVito as a Director Emeritus.

Joe DeVito and his wife, Mary, first came to Ojai in 1965. After one semester of teaching the in the LA area, he and Mary moved to Ojai, where he taught a grade 4-5 curriculum for three years at Topa Topa. During that time, he earned his graduate degree, and was appointed as principal of San Antonio School in 1968. Joe was elected to the Ojai City Council in 1986. He still serves, having won re-election six times, and is currently serving his fifth term as Mayor of Ojai.

Although not a tennis player, Joe was active in sports, earning 3 varsity letters in basketball. Joe relates a story from 1965, perhaps a premonition of what was to come. A business relation heard that Joe and Mary were moving to Ojai. The fellow said to Joe "That's Arthur Ashe country." Joe told the man he had no idea who Arthur Ashe was, and so heard for the first time about the Ojai Tennis Tournament, and Ashe's Pac-10 victory in 1965.

Joe was recruited into the Ojai Tennis Club in 1967 to call lines at the Ojai Tennis Tournament. Although had never even attended a tennis tournament, he agreed, and undertook his assignment, armed only with the information that "If it's on the line its good, otherwise, it's out." Joe found the work more difficult than he had anticipated, and after two years on the courts, he opted to serve instead as the supervisor of the lines people.

His next assignment (whether it should be considered a "promotion" is unclear) was as Clean Up Committee chair, and in that capacity developed procedures for better handling, maintenance and storage of the equipment, making it more functional and easier to handle. Joe served in this capacity until 1993. His wife, Mary, has also been active with The Ojai^®. She was appointed to the Board of Directors in the early 1970s, and served for almost 20 years. For many years, she was in charge of the court managers.

Joe retired as principal of San Antonio School in 1992. Members of the Board of Directors, recognizing an opportunity, took Joe to dinner, and convinced him that he should be the President of the Ojai Tennis Club for the following year. This was unusual, as Joe was not a member of the Board of Directors, something now required by the Club by-laws. Consistent with his demonstrated commitment to community, Joe agreed, and he was simultaneously elected as a member of the Board and President for the 1993 Tournament.

In his first year, the Tennis Club's finances were minimal, with no cash reserves. Joe set about remedying this situation, by suggesting actions designed to increase the stature of the Tournament. He recruited personnel in the sports field to find resources willing to support the Tournament. He was able to secure in-kind donations of office equipment, and recruited cash sponsors, including many of today's major sponsors. Joe also negotiated a formal "official ball" agreement with Wilson, resulting in reduced costs and greater support for the Tournament, and worked to expand the Thursday night barbeque. He helped recruit more volunteers to assist with the Tournament, as the numbers were dropping and replacements hard to find. He began the era of the "town hall" type monthly Board meetings, encouraging anyone interested to attend the meetings, to generate enthusiasm for the Tournament. He promoted the volunteer potluck and social socials to recognize and thank volunteers for their service. The strong financial health of the Tennis Club today and the community wide support are directly attributable to Joe's efforts during those years.

Joe stepped down as President after the 1997 Tournament, but continued to serve on the Board until 2008, providing invaluable guidance, support, and liaison with the City.

Joe Devito's heart is still with the Ojai Tennis Club and the annual Ojai Tennis Tournament, and he will be a constant and welcome presence in Libbey Park. Joe has, by his hard work and dedication through over 40 years of service, earned the respect and admiration of everyone associated with this Club and the Tournament, and the Club is proud to designate him as a Director Emeritus.