Marshall Happer was one of the most influential leaders in professional tennis serving as Chief Operating Officer ("Commissioner") from 1981-1989 for the Men's Tennis Council, the first and last unified governing body of men's international tennis worldwide and as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer for the U.S. Tennis Association from 1990 to 1995. A native of Kinston, North Carolina and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, Happer practiced law in Raleigh, N.C. for many years prior to and after his MTC and USTA careers. Marshall Happer is the former head of the Men's International Professional Tennis Council.