Advertising Agency CEO Elected to Women’s Golf Association Board
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., March 16, 2006 – Karen C. Francis, chairman and chief executive officer of advertising agency Publicis & Hal Riney, has been elected to the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) Board of Directors. She will serve as the board’s business and industry representative for a two year term.
"Karen’s business acumen and extensive marketing experience complement the diverse talents and expertise of our board," says Penny Hulbert, president of the EWGA Board of Directors. "We are thrilled to have her join our association’s board as we continue the growth of our organization."
Prior to joining San Francisco based Publicis & Hal Riney in 2004, Francis was vice president of Ford Motor Company and president and chief executive officer of ConsumerConnect, responsible for global e-business strategies, customer relationship management, and export operations. Previous positions include managing director and chief marketing officer at publicly-traded Internet holding company Internet Capital Group and general manager of General Motors’ Oldsmobile division, where she was responsible for the company’s PGA relationship and oversight of the Oldsmobile Scramble. Her accomplishments at General Motors led her to being named the "Top Newsmaker of 1999" by the publication Automotive News and a 1998 "Woman to Watch" by Advertising Age. She also has served as vice president of marketing at Berol Corporation, was a consultant at Bain & Company and began her career at Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Francis’ civic involvement includes serving on the Dartmouth College Board of Trustees, American Advertising Federation Board, San Francisco AdCouncil Board and the board of The First Tee of North Bay. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and a M.B.A. from Harvard University.
Founded just 15 years ago, the EWGA has touched the lives of over 75,000 women, providing opportunities to learn, play and enjoy the game of golf for business and for life. This not-for-profit membership association has over 115 chapters throughout the United States and into Canada, offering a wide range of golf, social and networking activities for new and experienced golfers.
About the EWGA Board of Directors
The EWGA Board of Directors is responsible for leading and governing the EWGA, establishing its goals and policies; ensuring strategic planning; and providing fiduciary oversight of the association. The board of directors also appoints the executive director of the EWGA who serves as an ex-officio Board member.
The 2006 officers of the EWGA Board of Directors include President Penny Hulbert, senior vice president RBC Centura Bank from the Tampa Bay, FL Chapter; Immediate Past President Tyra Jarvis, vice president of professional services, SAI of the Sacramento, CA Chapter; Treasurer Lisa Lifer, IT director, Schering-Plough Corporation from the Northern New Jersey Chapter; and Secretary Barbara Douglas, a member of the USGA Women’s Committee from Phoenix-Valley of Sun, AZ Chapter and the board’s representative from the USGA.
At Large Board members include Joan Cavanaugh, president of Golf for the Professional Woman, Fairfield County, CT Chapter; Karen Furtado, vice president, CGI, Southern New Hampshire Chapter; and Karen Durkin, executive vice president of communications and brand strategy, National Hockey League, of the Big Apple, NY Chapter.
Regional representatives on the EWGA Board of Directors include for the East, Patrice Franco, vice president, Merrill Lynch & Co, Long Island, NY Chapter; for the South, Margaret Downey, director of training development & culture, CSX Transportation, Jacksonville, FL Chapter; for the Midwest, Melinda Hipp, senior loan officer, Legacy Mutual Mortgage, San Antonio, TX Chapter; and for Canada, Amanda Maltby, senior vice president, Ipsos-Reid Public Affairs, Greater Toronto, Ontario Canada Chapter.
The EWGA board representative from the PGA of America is Sandy Cross, marketing services director, PGA of America, Palm Beach County, FL Chapter; and the communications representative is Susan Reed, editor-in-chief, Golf for Women magazine, Big Apple, NY Chapter. A board position for a representative from the LPGA is open at this time.
EWGA is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For more information see www.ewga.com
Contact:
Angie Niehoff
Niehoff Marketing Associates
561-868-0297
niehoff@bellsouth.net
