Jon Podany, who spent nine years working for Mike Whan at the LPGA, has been hired by Whan as the new Chief Commercial Officer for the U.S. Golf Association, part of a tumultuous month at the top of the organization.
Podany was most recently a partner in two companies within the college sports industry, The Brandr Group (TBG) and CampusLore.
“I am very excited to be returning to the golf industry and reuniting with Mike Whan to build on the success we’ve had together,” Podany said in a statement released by the USGA on Thursday. “I have had a lifelong passion for the game and have been fortunate to have a 25-year career in the industry, which I hope will position me well to champion and advance the game, our people and our partners.”
Whan officially started with the USGA on July 1, and on that date, the USGA confirmed to Golfweek that Chief Commercial Officer Navin Singh had left the organization to pursue other professional opportunities. Also, Chief Brand Officer Craig Annis has left the group since Whan’s arrival as has Director of Communications and Public Relations Jeffrey Altstadter, who became the director of publicity for the gambling info and tech firm PointsBet.
Podany was Chief Marketing Officer and later Chief Commercial Officer working with Commissioner Whan at the LPGA. Under that leadership, LPGA revenues grew 88 percent, the number of tournaments was increased from 23 to 34 and prize money climbed from $40 million to more than $70 million.
Prior to his nine years with the LPGA, Podany spent 15 years with the PGA Tour, including five as a senior vice president of business development. Before that he spent eight years at Proctor & Gamble. He also served as president and CEO of Arnold Palmer Enterprises for one year after leaving the LPGA.
A Golfweek source said that Podany was among the finalists to replace Whan as head of the LPGA, but that job eventually went to Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who was hired in May.
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