Simona Galik Moore, a former professional tennis player, has transitioned into a distinguished entrepreneur as CEO and owner of PBPRO—a prominent brand in professional pickleball, offering premium paddles, coordinated apparel, and accessories.
Born and raised in Zilina, Slovakia, Simona's passion for tennis was ignited early on. Her athletic journey was shaped by her father, Dusan Galik, a former semi-professional soccer player who also coached her. Supported by her mother, Viera Galikova, and brother, Robert Galik, Simona excelled in junior tennis, securing the Indoor National Championship in doubles with Michaela Prorokova (16 and under) and claiming victory in two ITF Junior doubles tournaments. Transitioning to the WTA professional circuit, she achieved a career-high ranking of WTA 505 in singles and 209 in doubles.
At 23, Simona pivoted towards a business career, relocating to the United States for collegiate studies at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. The supportive environment and favorable climate proved conducive to her success both on and off the court. Graduating in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, she amassed a remarkable collegiate tennis record, becoming a four-time NAIA All-American, winning a No. 1 singles championship in her freshman season, and concluding with a standout 119-9 career record. Her accolades include national #1 ranking, National Singles Champion title, ITA Senior Player of the Year honors, and the ITA's James O'Hara Sportsmanship Award. In 2015, she was rightfully inducted into the Flagler College Hall of Fame.
During her collegiate tenure, Simona undertook pivotal internships that set the stage for her subsequent business career. She gained invaluable experience at Rolex USA in advertising, honed her skills at IMG Academy in Bradenton, and expanded her insights at IMG headquarters in Cleveland, OH.
Originally aspiring to pursue a career as a sports agent post-college, unforeseen circumstances prompted her to pivot towards a different path within the business realm, distancing herself from professional sports.
Post-college, Simona joined Lowe's in 2002 as part of the Brand Management team, where she spent 14 years refining her expertise in marketing, brand management, and leadership. Concurrently, she pursued her Master's in Business Administration at the Moore School of Business at USC, demonstrating her commitment to continuous professional growth.
In 2016, following the birth of her daughter, Simona transitioned to consulting, specializing in e-commerce and digital marketing for NASCAR drivers including Martin Truex Jr., Kurt Busch, and Kyle Larson.
In the fall of 2020, leveraging her extensive experience, Simona launched PBPRO. Her breakthrough moment arrived when her product line debuted at Dick's Sporting Goods, catalyzing remarkable growth for the company. Additionally, she owns SGIM, LLC, a sourcing company, and recently earned Women in Business Enterprise certification.
Simona attributes her success to her background as a professional athlete, highlighting the significance of perseverance, focus, and daily goal-setting. She firmly believes that these qualities are essential for sustained success and that individuals from any background can forge prosperous careers.
Simona is married to Todd Moore, a seasoned entrepreneur who has managed Martin Truex Jr. for over 15 years and currently leads MTJ Group of Companies. Together, they enjoy an active family life in North Carolina, nurturing their eight-year-old daughter, Daniella, who harbors aspirations of her own in athletics.
