Annual USGA Executive Committee Shuffle: Three To Replace Two And Not Much Else Of Note
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With the USGA Executive Committee essentially a cast of living, breathing bobbleheads I doubt most care who they nominate these days. Nonetheless, the latest three to join the group of 15 have impressive careers still going and will surely add to a committee filling two outgoing seats—a subtle reminder to those with a sense of humor that the nominating process is never over until the big black tie dinner.
2021 USGA Executive Committee Nominations Announced
Fifteen-member group serves as the Association’s volunteer board
LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (Dec. 1, 2020) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced three new nominees to its 15-member Executive Committee: Chuck Brymer, chairman of DDB Worldwide; Cathy Engelbert, commissioner of the WNBA and former Deloitte CEO; and Anthony Petitti, president of sports and entertainment for Activision Blizzard.
In addition, Kendra Graham, Nick Price and Sharon Ritchey have each been nominated to serve a second term, Graham and Ritchey for three years, Price for two years.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t have Price making it this far, particularly surrounded by too many folks who had to be reminded he’s not that Nick. Good on you Nick!
If elected at the USGA’s Annual Meeting on Feb. 26, 2021, the three new members will add expertise and leadership that directly align with the USGA’s Strategic Plan and its mission to champion and advance the game of golf. The current set of objectives includes elevating the positive impact of the USGA’s 14 global championships and deepening its investment in golf programs and services to ensure a thriving, welcoming and sustainable game.
Boilerplate central.
The board of the nonprofit golf organization is led by J. Stuart Francis, who will serve the second year of his three-year term as president in 2021.
“It is a testament to the strength of the USGA that we are able to attract global leaders across various industries to serve on our Executive Committee,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “The independent skill sets and experience they possess complement those of the entire board, and their collective passion to support a healthy future for golf benefits our organization and everyone in the game.”
Leaders in industries have generally shown an unwillingness to do what’s right for the game. Hope I’m wrong!
Francis, who is entering his seventh year on the Executive Committee, added, “Each candidate possesses strengths that directly align with the USGA’s long-range Strategic Plan, and the expertise to deliver on the organization’s mission. We are excited about the impact that we know Chuck, Cathy and Anthony can deliver if elected.”
Current USGA Executive Committee members include Graham, Price, Ritchey, Anthony Anderson, Michael Bailey, Thomas Barkin, Stephen Beebe, Paul Brown, Courtney Myhrum, Fred Perpall and Deborah Platt Majoras.
Martha Lang and William Siart will retire from the Executive Committee after a combined 10 years of service to the Executive Committee.
Per the bylaws of the association, Brymer, Engelbert and Petitti will each serve a three-year term beginning in 2021, with the potential to be elected for a second and final three-year term in 2024. The USGA made the strategic decision to increase Executive Committee member term limits from one year to three in 2020 as part of a regular review to enhance the effectiveness of its governance structure.
And now for the bios…
As chairman of DDB Worldwide, one of the top advertising and marketing agencies in the world, Brymer provides oversight to more than 200 offices in over 80 countries and spearheaded the company’s transition into the digital advertising age. His growth strategy led to the acquisition of key businesses in Brazil, India and the United Kingdom and his leadership as president and CEO from 2006-2018 resulted in the company’s recognition as one of the top agencies in the world by AdAge, Adweek and Campaign. As one of the world’s leading brand experts, Brymer authored the book “The Nature of Marketing” in 2008 as a guide to engaging online consumer populations and helped create Businessweek’s annual ranking of the “World’s Best Global Brands.” Prior to DDB, Brymer served as global chairman and CEO of the Interbrand Group, the world’s largest branding and design consultancy. He has also served on the board of directors of Regal Entertainment and as board director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. A passionate outdoorsman, sports enthusiast and recreational golfer, Brymer started playing the game in his teens with his brothers in his home state of Kentucky. He has a USGA Handicap Index® of 8.0.
One of DDB’s big clients was Mars, former home of current USGA Chief Brand Officer Craig Annis. So there’s one vote for more expensive, lame ad campaigns!
Engelbert was named the WNBA’s first-ever commissioner in 2019 after a storied 33-year career at Deloitte, in which she became the first female CEO in the history of a Big Four professional services firm. As Deloitte CEO from 2015-2019, Engelbert led more than 100,000 professionals of the accounting and consulting organization in the United States. Prior to that, she served large, complex global clients, including in the financial services, consumer products, and pharmaceutical industries. She also served on the Deloitte board of directors for over 7 years, as the first woman chair of the Center for Audit Quality Governing Board and, as a strong supporter of diversity and inclusion, as the first woman chair of the Catalyst Board, a global nonprofit organization that promotes inclusive workplaces for women. She was a founding member of the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion, is a vice chair of the Partnership for New York City, and previously served as a member of the Business Roundtable, where she sat on the Education & Workforce and Immigration committees. She is currently a member of the board of McDonald’s Corporation and was named one of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women for four consecutive years. Engelbert, a former Division I college basketball and lacrosse player, has since found a passion for golf, and is a proud mother to two children.
Nice resumé, what on earth is she doing here? Can’t wait to see how Englebert feels about the Barstool integrations.
And finally, we’ll try not to hold it against this man for working under the point-missing, rule-fuzzy, trophy-mocking, ceremony-slurring “Commissioner” who doesn’t seem to like the sport he runs, Rob Manfred, because Anthony Petitti’s background in media is mighty impressive:
Petitti brings more than 30 years of executive experience within the sports and entertainment industries. As president of Sports and Entertainment at Activision Blizzard, Inc., he oversees all esports, consumer products, and film and television for the leading interactive entertainment company. Prior to his current role, Petitti spent 11 years at Major League Baseball (MLB) where he ultimately served as deputy commissioner for Business and Media from 2017-2019. The role included oversight for all digital and MLB Network content, broadcast relationships including all linear and digital media sales and rights negotiations, special events, postseason scheduling, international, youth programs and marketing activities. Additionally, he led MLB’s efforts to bring new diverse youth into the game through innovative programs across the country and expanded the league’s international development initiatives. Petitti joined MLB in 2008 to create, launch, and oversee programming for MLB Network and was promoted to chief operating officer in 2014. Prior to MLB, Petitti served in senior executive roles at ABC, NBC and CBS, overseeing the rights acquisition deals for a variety of sports and leagues, including the NFL, NCAA Basketball Tournament, PGA Tour and SEC Football. A 13-time Emmy Award winner, he was executive vice president and executive producer at CBS Sports, where he was responsible for the network’s sports programming and production. A native of Queens, N.Y, he started playing golf in his early 20s with his father on area public courses and maintains a 7.1 USGA Handicap Index.
If only we’d get to hear his Winged Foot chats with Pete Bevacqua trying to understand why NBC can’t afford modern broadcast basics for Tommy Roy, why the ratings were so bad and why Peacock looks so soft. That’s, if he asks questions, which is generally discouraged behavior in this setting!
