# July 2026 Staffing and Organizational Announcement

**Source:** IFPA  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2026-07-02  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.ifpapinball.com/july-2026-staffing-and-organizational-announcement/

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## Analysis

IFPA announces two new staff members: Art Dodd, a competitive player and community organizer from the US known for leagues and charity work, and Craig Pullen, a UK-based player and pinball enthusiast with international competition experience. Both are joining to support community growth and tournament infrastructure.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Art Dodd started playing pinball competitively in 2010 — _IFPA official announcement_
- [HIGH] Art Dodd has organized monthly events, set up leagues like Battle For The Kingdom, created pin golf courses, raised money for charity, and volunteered at events — _IFPA official announcement_
- [HIGH] Art Dodd is the founder of Pin Grounds Coffee — _IFPA official announcement_
- [HIGH] Craig Pullen has been playing pinball since age 13 when his father bought him a Bow and Arrow and Arrow — _IFPA official announcement_
- [HIGH] Craig Pullen is from the UK and has travelled internationally competing in pinball — _IFPA official announcement_

### Notable Quotes

> "Art has organized monthly events, set up leagues like Battle For The Kingdom, created pin golf courses with unique challenges, raised money for charity, volunteered at events, and much more."
> — **IFPA**
> _Demonstrates Art Dodd's extensive community contributions and leadership track record_

> "Art wants to help improve his favorite parts of pinball as the sport continues to grow."
> — **IFPA**
> _States Art Dodd's motivation for joining IFPA staff_

> "Craig is excited to join the IFPA staff, with a particular interest in the success and growth of European Pinball."
> — **IFPA**
> _Indicates Craig Pullen's primary focus area as IFPA staff member_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Art Dodd | person | Competitive pinball player since 2010, community organizer, founder of Pin Grounds Coffee, newly appointed IFPA staff member |
| Craig Pullen | person | UK-based pinball player since age 13, international competitor, newly appointed IFPA staff member with focus on European pinball growth |
| IFPA | organization | International Federation of Pinball Associations, announcing staff additions |
| Battle For The Kingdom | event | Pinball league organized by Art Dodd |
| Pin Grounds Coffee | company | Coffee business founded by Art Dodd |
| Bow and Arrow | game | Pinball machine that Craig Pullen received as a gift at age 13 |

### Signals

- **[personnel_signal]** IFPA appoints two new staff members: Art Dodd (US community organizer) and Craig Pullen (UK competitive player). Reflects organizational expansion and focus on regional growth, particularly European market. (confidence: high) — Official IFPA announcement of staff additions with detailed bios and roles
- **[community_signal]** IFPA is elevating established community organizers to formal staff roles, indicating institutionalization of grassroots initiatives and volunteer structure (confidence: high) — Art Dodd's background in organizing monthly events, leagues, and charity work; Craig Pullen's international tournament participation experience
- **[community_signal]** IFPA prioritizing European pinball growth by adding UK staff member with international competition background and regional focus (confidence: high) — Craig Pullen stated to have 'particular interest in the success and growth of European Pinball'
- **[event_signal]** Formalization of league operations and tournament structures through staff appointments, suggesting IFPA commitment to grassroots competitive infrastructure (confidence: medium) — Art Dodd's involvement in organizing monthly events and leagues like Battle For The Kingdom now recognized in official IFPA capacity

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## Transcript

The IFPA is proud to announce two new members to the team: Art Dodd and Craig Pullen! Art Dodd Art started playing pinball competitively in 2010. Since then he has contributed to fun and welcoming pinball environments for both new and veteran players alike. Because of his passion for pinball and the community, Art has organized monthly events, set up leagues like Battle For The Kingdom, created pin golf courses with unique challenges, raised money for charity, volunteered at events, and much more. He’s also the founder of Pin Grounds Coffee. Art wants to help improve his favorite parts of pinball as the sport continues to grow. He hopes to collaborate with the growing group of volunteers at the IFPA to help serve the community. Craig Pullen Craig is from the UK and has been playing pinball since he was 13 when his father bought him a Bally Bow and Arrow for Christmas. Pinball has been a staple in his life ever since, travelling all over the world competing, meeting great people and communities. Craig is excited to join the IFPA staff, with a particular interest in the success and growth of European Pinball. We have updated our IFPA Staff page with these new bios.

_(Acquisition: web_scrape, Enrichment: v5)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-08-04 | Item ID: 27743e2c-3124-4170-8f90-1f225c281ff9*