Longtime golf industry exec Jon Podany is reuniting with USGA CEO Mike Whan as Podany becomes Chief Commercial Officer for the org starting Sept. 1. Podany previously worked for the LPGA for nine years as CMO and CCO, working with Whan, who left his job as LPGA Commissioner in June to replace Mike Davis at the USGA. Most recently, Podany was a partner in two companies within the college sports industry -- The Brandr Group and CampusLore -- but he now returns to golf. He also has worked for the PGA Tour, Arnold Palmer Enterprises and Procter & Gamble.
As USGA CCO, Podany will oversee corporate partnerships, hospitality, broadcast/digital media, communications, marketing, ticketing and merchandising. Podany is replacing Navin Singh in title, but his role will be a new one. Singh left the USGA last month, but the new CCO role also includes added duties currently held by Chief Branding Officer Craig Annis, who will depart the USGA at the end of the month. No search firm was used.
