Our primary founder and Chairman, Lachlan Maclachlan of Strathlachlan from Loch Fyne, Scotland, or Lach Reed to most, was a fascinating and complex individual, having grown up in Turkey in a family of educators who went on to found colleges (including Reed College) all over the world.
Lach’s college sweetheart, Martha Sweatt, became his wife and partner, working with him to develop InnerCity Tennis. Martha’s father, Harold Sweatt, co-founder of Honeywell, was instrumental in developing the early nonprofit, with a very close historical relationship to the company. Martha and Lach married on September 3, 1942 and went on to spend a full life together raising six children.
In 1952, Lachlan Reed, Harold Sweatt, Martha Sweatt Reed, Wheelock Whitney, Sewell Andrews, George Crosby, Robert DeHaven, Jack Dow, John Harrison, George Hoke, Goodrich Lowry, George Mairs, Joe Masek, Donald McNeely, George Pillsbury, George Weed, Donald Paul, Dr. Jack Pfister, William Rentschler, Justin Smith, Lucian Strong and G. Cullen Thomas founded Northwest Tennis Patrons, with a goal of empowering inner city youth with the many opportunities afforded them through the lifelong sport of tennis.
Before his death in 2007, Lach cited his co-founding of InnerCity Tennis (originally Northwest Tennis Patrons) as one of his most satisfying accomplishments.