Executive Transactions

The PGA of America named KEVIN RING to the newly created position of CMO. Ring had been in IMG’s consulting division since '00 and most recently had led the golf consulting practice. His clients included Chevron, KPMG and Thomson Reuters. At the PGA, Ring will oversee the association’s marketing, creative resources, research and communications departments. One of his first duties will be to develop a brand communications plan and campaigns that will enhance the PGA’s membership programs. While Ring has assisted clients in other sports, such as MLB and the USTA, he has primarily worked in golf. He begins at PGA HQs in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on Feb. 18 and will report directly to PGA CEO PETE BEVACQUA. Additionally, the PGA of America promoted Managing Dir KEVIN CARTER to Chief Business Officer where he will lead broadcasting, merchandising and business development. Carter oversees the PGA’s relationships with its corporate partners, such as AmEx, Mercedes-Benz and Omega. The organization also promoted Managing Dir CHRISTINE GARRITY to Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel. Carter and Garrity will report to Bevacqua (Michael Smith, Staff Writer).

HURRICANE COMING: The Univ. of Miami named BLAKE JAMES AD after he had been serving in the role on an interim basis since Oct. 4, when former AD SHAWN EICHORST left for the same position at the Univ. of Nebraska. James becomes UM’s third AD since PAUL DEE stepped down in ’08. James said that “his yet-to-be-signed deal was for five years at an undisclosed salary” (MIAMI HERALD, 2/9). The AP’s Tim Reynolds wrote it is a “critical time for Miami's athletic department, especially the administration, where virtually everyone in the employee directory has been a relatively new hire or has assumed a new role in the past couple years” (AP, 2/8).

BACK TO SCHOOL: In this week’s SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, John Ourand reports JUSTIN CONNOLLY “will oversee the Longhorn Network and the soon-to-be-announced SEC Network” as ESPN Senior VP/College Networks. In the newly created position, Connolly will report to Senior VP/College Sports Programming BURKE MAGNUS, and “will remain based in Bristol, Conn.” Connolly’s duties “will expand well beyond distribution.” He will “oversee content acquisition and scheduling at the networks.” Connolly, who was a member of SBJ/SBD’s Forty Under 40 class of ’11, has been at ESPN since ’03 (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/11 issue).

EXECS: Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment promoted ANTON WIMMER to MLS Toronto FC Dir of Ticket Sales & Service and MIKE COSENTINO to AHL Toronto Marlies Senior Dir of Business Operations (MLSE)....The PBR named DENISE ABBOTT Senior Dir of PR (THE DAILY).

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