Becky Benná
Parks and Recreation Director
City of Glendale, Arizona
Becky Benná has led the City of Glendale, Arizona Parks and Recreation Department since April 2005. Her department provides comprehensive park and recreation services to a growing community of over 240,000 residents. Prior to joining Glendale, Ms. worked for the city of Miamisburg, Ohio, where as Director, she led a nationally accredited parks and recreation department. She also has worked for the cities of Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona parks and recreation departments. 

Ms. Benná serves as a member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) National Forum and Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. She has served as the President of the NRPA Council of State Affiliate Presidents, President of the NRPA National Aquatics Council, chairperson of the NRPA National Aquatics Management School and the NRPA National Professional Certification Board. Ms. Benna’ is a board member of the prestigious American Academy of Park and Recreation Administration. She is also a past recipient of the NRPA Robert W. Crawford Outstanding Young Professional Award and NRPA Pacific Southwest Young Professional Award.

Ms. Benna’ has served as President of the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association and she is a past-chairperson and a trustee of the Board of Regents for the National Institute of Golf Management, and she also served as chairperson and regent for the Business Institute for Park, Recreation and Leisure Services at Oglebay Park in Wheeling, West Virginia. Ms. Benna’ holds a Masters degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree. She is also a graduate of the Revenue Sources Management School and National Institute of Golf Management. 

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Ted Brodeur
Superintendent of Revenue Facilities and Golf Operations
Joliet Park District, Illinois
Ted Brodeur is the Superintendent of Revenue Facilities and Golf Operations for the Joliet Park District overseeing three golf courses as well as a Health Club and Waterpark. Mr. Brodeur played collegiate golf for Joliet Junior College before he began his career in the golf industry as an Assistant Golf Professional for the City of Aurora. Mr. Brodeur is a member of the National Recreation and Parks Association, and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. Mr. Brodeur graduated from Joliet Jr.College in 1985 and the NIGM in 1998. He is currently the Chair-Elect for the 2009 NIGM School.

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Keith Clark, PGA
Vice President of Golf Operations
Essig Golf Management
Keith Clark has been a Class A PGA Member since 1993. Mr. Clark has been an instructor at the National Institute of Golf Management since 1999 and served as the 2004 Chairman of the Board of Regents. Mr. Clark is a member of the Indiana PGA Section Board of Directors, Chairman of the Growth of the Game Committee, member of the Education Committee and the 2007 recipient of the Indiana Section, Horton Smith Award.

Mr. Clark began his career in the golf industry at Otter Creek Golf Course (Indiana) where he was the Head Golf Professional. In 1993, 1994, and 1996 Otter Creek Golf Shop was awarded the Indiana PGA Merchandiser of the Year. Mr. Clark was the PGA Golf Professional at Marsh Landing Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; a private club awarded “Top 100 Golf Shops In America” in 1998, 1999 & 2000. Mr. Clark also worked for the Tournament Players Club Network, as PGA Professional at the TPC at Sawgrass before moving to the TPC at River Highlands (Hartford, CT), rated the #1 Private Club in Connecticut and recognized in 2003 as one of the Top 100 Golf Shops in America.

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Sarah Clopton
Senior Manager of Curriculum
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
Sarah Clopton is the Senior Manager of Curriculum for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. She has been with GCSAA since 2000 in the Education Department working with their continuing education faculty and seminar programs. Ms. Clopton earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Health Education and a minor in Physical Education from the University of Kansas. She is a member of the American Society of Training and Development and the Turfgrass Division of the Crop Science Society of America.

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Mark Farrell
Corporate Hospitality Operations Executive
Westfield Group
Mark Farrell is the Corporate Hospitality Operations Executive at Westfield Group, a property and casualty insurance and financial services company, headquartered in Westfield Center, Ohio. Mr. Farrell is a graduate and active alumni member of the University of Kentucky. His work experience includes labor relations management with General Electric Co. and owner operator responsibilities at Mapleside Farms Inc. For Westfield, Mr. Farrell oversees the businesses of the Westfield Group Country Club, a thirty-six hole private golf and recreation facility, The Westfield Inn, the Blair Conference Center, Corporate Dining and Event Planning operations. Mr. Farrell served as tournament executive for the 2004 Junior Ryder Cup Matches and currently for the Westfield Junior PGA Championship (2001- present). He is a member of the Board of Regents and served as Past Chairman for the National Institute of Golf Management. He is an active member of the National Golf Course Owners and Club Managers Associations in addition to various committee and board positions within the golf industry and with civic organizations. 

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Ben Fowler, PGA
Golf Facility Research and Consulting Sales Manager
National Golf Foundation
Ben Fowler oversees the National Golf Foundation’s Golfer Survey Program. Mr. Fowler graduated from New Mexico State University’s Professional Golf Management Program with a Business and Marketing degree in 2000. He earned his PGA membership in January 2003, and was assistant golf professional at The Country Club of Rochester (N.Y.), Old Marsh Golf Club (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.), and Medalist Golf Club (Hobe Sound, Fla.) before joining NGF.

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John Kennedy
Assistant Director, Parks & Recreation
City of Bloomington, Illinois
In November 2006, John Kennedy was named the Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Bloomington, Illinois. Prior to being named the Assistant Director, Mr. Kennedy served as the Director of Golf Operations for the City's three golf courses - including an Arnold Palmer Signature Design. In a 2005 Golf Digest publication, the Bloomington/Normal, Illinois area was ranked 5th in the United States for golf. Before becoming the Director of Golf Operations, Mr. Kennedy served as the Golf Professional / Pro Shop Manager for Highland Park Golf Course in Bloomington. Mr. Kennedy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Illinois State University. Mr. Kennedy is a member of the National Recreation and Park Association and the Central Illinois Recreation Council for Leisure Experience.

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John C. Potts
Consultant, Golf Course & Park Management
Trustee
John C. Potts recently retired as Executive Director of Champaign County Forest Preserve District. During his career he managed a 90-hole golf course operation in Peoria, Illinois and a 27-hole operation in Champaign County. He has been associated with the National Institute of Golf Management since its inception in 1982, first as a student, then as instructor, Regent, Chairman of the Board of Regents, and Trustee. He has a degree in Management from the College of Business, Southern Illinois University and a combination Master’s degree from the MBA program and the Park Management programs at SIU. He is the Executive Secretary of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, a member of the board of two foundations, and a member of a variety of professional organizations. He has taught at the University of Illinois, Bradley University, a community college, and currently teaches disaster preparation courses for American Red Cross disaster volunteers.

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Rich Richeson, PGA
Owner/Adams Golf Learning Centers
Owner/Managing Partner: Sportcrete Texas
Rich Richeson is the owner of Adams Golf Learning Centers based in Plano, Texas and also is the Owner & Managing Partner of Sportcrete Texas which does golf course bunker construction and renovation.
  
Mr. Richeson has been a golf professional in many capacities in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex since 1978. Prior to his business ownerships, Mr. Richeson worked for American Golf Corporation, the largest owner and operator of public and private golf facilities in the World. From 2000 through 2003 Mr. Richeson was the National Project Manager for the Nike Golf Learning Centers which was a player development initiative of AGC.
  
Mr. Richeson received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Tech University with a degree in political science in 1978. Mr. Richeson attended the National Institute of Golf Management in 1986-87 and is a graduate of the NIGM. He also served on the board in 1988-91 and has been back on the board since 1998 serving as Chairman of the Board in 2002 and is the Chair for the 2008 Institute. In 2005, Mr. Richeson received the Horton Smith Award in 2005 from the Northern Texas PGA "For dedication, leadership and outstanding contributions to the PGA educational program."

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Heather Wyllie
Sr. Manager of Training and Multi Media
Heather Wyllie is the manager of training and multi media for Cara Operations Ltd., Canada's largest restaurateur and food service operator. Prior to joining Cara in 2006, Ms. Wyllie worked as the Director of Training & Development for ClubLink Corporation, Canada's largest operator of public and private golf courses. Before joining ClubLink in 1993, Ms. Wyllie was employed as the Food & Beverage Manager for the Huntington Golf and Country Club in Toronto. Ms. Wyllie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hotel and Food Administration from the University of Guelph and a diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Georgian College. Ms. Wyllie graduated from the NIGM in 1996 and has been a member of our board in a variety of roles ever since. Ms. Wyllie is a member of the Ontario Food Service Association, the Canadian Society of Club Managers, the National Restaurant Association, and the Canadian Society of Training & Development.

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