Sports, Golf executive assumes helm following extensive three-month
search
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., October 28, 2009 - Ladies Professional Golf
Association (LPGA) Board of Directors Chairman Dawn Hudson announced
today that the LPGA Board has named Michael Whan the LPGA's new
Commissioner. Whan, most recently President and Chief Executive Officer
of Mission-Itech Hockey, has a personal and professional background in
golf, including serving as Executive Vice President and General Manager
(North American Region) for Taylormade-adidas Golf.
The appointment follows an extensive three-month international search
led by an LPGA Search Committee comprised of LPGA Board player members
Juli Inkster and Helen Alfredsson along with fellow LPGA Board members
Bill Morton and Leslie Greis, who chaired the Committee.
"We established very strict criteria for the position of Commissioner
and Mike impressed us not only with his background and intellect but
also his passion for golf," Hudson said. "I commend the Search
Committee for their exhaustive work and commitment, and we look forward
to the months and years ahead with Mike as our Commissioner. We also
owe a great debt of gratitude to Acting Commissioner Marty Evans. Her
success over the past three months during a potentially difficult
transition period not only allowed the Search Committee time to conduct
a thorough search but also has provided our new Commissioner with
positive momentum and a revitalized platform upon which to grow the
LPGA in the sports and business marketplace."
Evans will work with Whan during a transition period before he
officially assumes the Commissioner helm in January 2010. Both Whan and
Evans will attend the LPGA Tour Championship Presented by Rolex the
week of November 16 in Houston, where a player meeting will be held and
the 2010 LPGA season schedule will be released.
"The LPGA is a resurging, resilient association, and Mike will be a
leader around which the wonderful LPGA staff and all of our
stakeholders-players, fans, sponsors, TV partners, tournament owners
and others-will rally," Evans said. "Mike will enjoy working within the
reenergized climate of collaboration that we've all worked so hard to
create this season. I'm looking forward to working closely with him
during the transition period as we celebrate the close of a tremendous
season and look forward to the LPGA's 60th year in 2010."
"It is rare to work for an organization that combines all the passions
in your life, but with the LPGA, I feel I've been presented with the
unique opportunity to do just that," Whan said. "First, this is an
association surrounded by passionate, value-driven people. Second, I'm
energized by brand building and the work involved in marketing and
growing a sport. Third, I simply love the game of golf-both the life
lessons it teaches and the friendships it helps create."
Whan, 44, started his business career at the Procter & Gamble Company
in 1987, rising within the ranks as a brand assistant, Brand Manager
and eventually Director of Marketing, Oral Care, before branching out
to follow his passion for sports. In 1994-95, he served as a Vice
President and General Manager at the Wilson Sporting Goods Company
responsible for all aspects of the golf ball and glove business. He
also managed the marketing department, two manufacturing facilities and
the Research & Development division.
At the TaylorMade Golf Company, Whan started as Vice President
Marketing and over the course of his four-year tenure was promoted to
Vice President, Sales and Marketing and eventually EVP/General
Manager-North America for Taylormade-adidas Golf. In his role as
General Manager, Whan's business unit represented more than 70 percent
of the company's worldwide sales and profit.
"Mike possesses substantial leadership experience in golf and sports,
the ability to build consensus in complex organizations and a proven
track record of building brands," Greis said. "Equally important, his
passion for golf is palpable, having grown up playing golf with his
father and friends. Mike was the kid hanging around the golf courses,
cutting the greens and caddying to earn extra money. He's a great fit
for the LPGA on both a professional and personal level."
Whan served as President/Chief Marketing Officer for Britesmile, Inc.,
from 1999-2002, before returning to sports at Mission Hockey, a hockey
equipment company. During his seven-year tenure in the hockey business,
he restructured and redefined the company, then acquired Itech Sports
to create Mission-Itech Hockey. When Whan finalized the sale of
Mission-Itech Hockey late last year, it commanded market share
leadership in nine product categories, sales in more than 30 countries
and had more than 50 percent of the National Hockey League (NHL)
players using the brands.
"We interviewed a number of great candidates, but Mike really stood out
as someone with integrity, honesty and a life-long passion for the
sport," Alfredsson said. "He will bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm
to the LPGA at a critical time for our association." Added Inkster:
"Mike clearly demonstrated a desire to make sure that the LPGA remains
the best women's sports organization in the world. He has the whole
package of what we were looking for, and he'll do what's needed to make
sure that we're successful."
Whan will serve as the LPGA's eighth Commissioner. He and his wife,
Meg, and his three children, Austin (15), Wesley (13) and Connor (12),
currently live in California and will relocate to Florida, home of the
LPGA Headquarters, next year.
The LPGA Board of Directors consists of player members Alfredsson,
Inkster, Michelle Ellis, Sherri Steinhauer, Pat Hurst, Christina Kim
and Stacy Prammanasudh; Patti Benson, national president of the LPGA
Teaching & Club Professionals; and independent directors Hudson, Greis,
Morton, Bill Susetka and Nancy Wiese.
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