2009 Board Officers Announced – Lisa Lifer Named President Elect
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., February 12, 2009 – Jo-Ann C. Dixon of West Caldwell, New Jersey, Jon Last of White Plains, New York, and Ede Rice of Edina, Minnesota have joined the Board of Directors for the EWGA (Executive Women’s Golf Association), an international women’s golf organization dedicated to connecting women to learn, play and enjoy golf for business and fun. Dixon, a principal of MatchPlay, Inc., a management consulting firm and a founding member of the Northern New Jersey EWGA Chapter was elected to a three year term. Last, founder and president of Sports and Leisure Research Group, a marketing research and strategy consultancy, was appointed as the board’s media/communications representative. Rice, a member of the USGA Women’s Committee, was appointed as that organization’s representative on the EWGA Association Board.
The 2009 officers of the EWGA Board of Directors include Karen Furtado of Bedford, New Hampshire, serving her second year as President of the Board of Directors; President- Elect Lisa Lifer, director, global quality improvement, Schering-Plough Corporation from the Northern New Jersey Chapter; and Secretary/Treasurer Amanda Maltby, privacy leader, Canada Post Corporation, member of the Greater Toronto, Ontario Canada and Southern New Hampshire Chapters.
Dixon’s extensive business background includes having served as CEO of Home Health Services Association of New Jersey and over ten years with the American Management Association. She is a past president of the Northern New Jersey Chapter and a former EWGA volunteer Sectional Director.
Before starting Sports and Leisure Research Group in late 2008, Last was vice president of corporate marketing, research and brand development for Conde Nast’s Golf Digest Publications division. He has served in senior marketing and strategic planning roles at the PGA of America and other sports and leisure related companies. He is the current president of the Marketing Research Association.
Rice has been a member of the USGA Women’s Committee since 2006 and also serves as a director on the Minnesota Golf Association and the Western Golf Association, which administers the Evans Scholarship program.
“We are very excited to have Jo-Ann, Jon and Ede join our talented and diverse board of directors,” says Furtado, partner, Smallwood, Maike & Associates and member of the Southern New Hampshire EWGA Chapter. “Jo-Ann has both business and chapter experience as a EWGA volunteer leader, Ede serves as a vital link to the USGA, and Jon knows the pulse of the golf industry – invaluable perspectives as we launch a new look and five year strategic plan.”
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 chief executive officer of the EWGA who serves as an ex-officio Board member.
At-large members on the 2009 EWGA Association Board of Directors include Margaret Downey, general manager, staffing and instructional design, CSX Transportation, of the Jacksonville, FL Chapter; Karen Durkin, CEO, Women’s Sports Foundation, of the New York City, NY Chapter; Karen Francis, an independent business consultant, of the San Francisco Bay Area, CA Chapter; Beth Hecht, an attorney in private practice, of the Northern New Jersey Chapter; Karen Moraghan, president, Hunter Public Relations, Northern New Jersey Chapter; Dori J. Smith, consultant, Palm Springs/Desert Cities, CA Chapter and Mary Phelan Summers, co-owner, B S Global LLC, from the Metro Detroit, MI Chapter.
The EWGA board representative from the PGA of America is Sandra L. Cross, director, business development, member of the Fort Lauderdale Area, FL Chapter; the LPGA board representative is Bill Susetka, chief marketing officer, member of the Daytona Beach Area, FL chapter; and the business and industry representative Kathy O’Neal, senior vice president, ClubCorp of the Dallas Chapter. Pam Swensen is the CEO of the EWGA.
About the EWGA
Since its founding in 1991, the EWGA has enriched the lives of over 100,000 women, connecting them to learn, play and enjoy golf for business and fun. This not-for-profit association delivers a wide range of golf, social and networking activities for new and experienced golfers. A welcoming environment, golf education and player development, organized play programs, unique golf experiences, and numerous discounts and savings are part of the many benefits of EWGA membership.
A 2008 survey of EWGA members conducted by the PGA of America found that the average EWGA member plays 32 rounds per year. EWGA members spent an average of $4296 on golf activities, merchandise and golf related travel, with each local EWGA chapter annually generating $602,900 in golf related spending. With over 125 chapters throughout the United States, as well as international chapters in Canada and France, the EWGA represents nearly $75 million in revenue to the golf industry.
The EWGA is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For more information about the association and membership, visit www.ewga.com.
Contact:
Angie Niehoff
Niehoff Marketing Associates
561-868-0297
niehoff@bellsouth.net
