Acting commish Evans. (AP/Rick Bowmer)
How apropos. The LPGA has chosen Marsha J. Evans, former chief executive of the American Red Cross, to relieve the suffering – at least temporarily – inflicted by deposed commissioner Carolyn Bivens.
Evans, a former Navy admiral, was named acting commissioner to oversee LPGA operations while a search committee reviews candidates to replace Bivens, who unceremoniously resigned today.
Given Evans’ recent history, it appears the LPGA is a glutton for punishment. Evans herself was ousted from the Red Cross in December 2005 after repeated clashes with its board of governors.
According to a March 4, 2006 Washington Post article that reported Evans received a $780,000 severance package, ARC board chairman Bonnie McElveen-Hunter had warned Evans six months before her departure “that the board’s executive committee was unhappy with her communication and collaboration with the 50-member Board of Governors and that the board believed she needed to change her ‘command-and-control’ management style.”
Six months later, Evans again ran afoul of the board when she fired several senior ARC executives. Evans was asked to resign, the Post reported, after “most of the board’s 14-member Executive Committee decided that they had lost confidence in her leadership.”
In fairness to Evans, her two predecessors – Dr. Bernadine Healy and Elizabeth Dole – also had difficulties in their dealings with the Red Cross board. Nevertheless, the characterization of Evans having a recalcitrant leadership style might sound all too familiar to LPGA sponsors (past and present) and players. And it’s one more reason for the search committee to expedite a permanent hire.
The LPGA has retained the high profile executive search firm Spencer Stuart to guide a search committee chaired by LPGA board member Leslie Greis and joined by board members Juli Inkster, Helen Alfredsson and Bill Morton. Board chairman Dawn Hudson told Golf Channel that the next commissioner, unlike Bivens, will have a background in sports management and association management. To that end, Hudson said Spencer Stuart has assigned the heads of both its association and sports practices to the task.
“We’ll soon have in place a commissioner to lead us into 2010 and beyond, but until then, it’s important that we immediately appoint an Acting Commissioner whom we know and trust,” Hudson said in a press release. “As a board of players and independent directors, we wanted an Acting Commissioner with experience leading a large organization, one who appreciates and listens to our player members and tournament owners, understands sponsors and their challenges and needs, and has a track record that commands respect. We’re pleased that Marty Evans will be our Acting Commissioner, as she fits all the criteria necessary during these challenging economic times for sports leagues.”
Assisting Evans, and presumably her successor, in repairing the damage done to sponsor relations will be Annika Sorenstam, who has agreed to assume the role of Advisor to the LPGA Board of Directors. Hudson said Sorenstam will be involved in on-going discussions with tournaments and sponsors.
“Obviously, I will do everything possible to ensure that the LPGA remains the pre-eminent women’s sports association in the world,” Sorenstam said. “I’m committed to getting up to speed quickly on the challenges facing the board right now, and will assist the LPGA in a number of ways both immediately and long-term.”
Evans had a 29-year career with the U.S. Navy, where she rose to the rank of Rear Admiral. She served on the LPGA Commissioner’s Advisory Council in 2007-08 and joined the LPGA board of directors this year.
“We look forward to making progress on completing negotiations for the 2010 schedule and building on the impressive work of Commissioner Bivens to execute the Association’s long-range strategic plan,” Evans said.
In a news conference televised on Golf Channel, Evans, 61, stressed that her role as Acting Commissioner will be temporary and she is not a candidate to replace Bivens full time.
Evans told Golf Channel she will immediately begin meeting with officials from “highest priority tournaments” in an effort to finalize the LPGA’s 2010 tournament schedule.
“We want to make sure we quickly nail that down,” Evans said.
Meanwhile, the names Donna Orender (president of the WNBA) and Cindy Davis (president of Nike Golf) have been mentioned as candidates to succeed Bivens, although the LPGA might already have the ideal replacement in-house.
That would be Zayra Calderon, who as part of an internal restructuring in Bivens’ wake today was promoted to Executive Vice President, Tournament Development & Worldwide Sales. That gives her responsibility for all tournament business affairs, “working closely with tournament owners and title sponsors to secure renewals and new tournaments and sponsors for the LPGA,” according to the press release.
As longtime CEO of the Futures Tour, a position she’ll retain, Caldron orchestrated the acquisition of the developmental circuit by the LPGA in 2007.
Bivens, who did not attend the U.S. Women’s Open last week, exited the LPGA quietly. She was not present at the press conference to announce her resignation.
“The LPGA is a special organization comprised of great players, teachers and fans with a rich history,” Bivens said in the press release. “I love the LPGA and have been proud to serve as its commissioner for the last four years. I am also proud of what the LPGA has accomplished during my tenure. My job was to be a change agent, to help move the LPGA into the strongest possible position to ensure its future.
“It is time to turn this organization over to someone who can build on the solid foundation we’ve established. I wish the LPGA and its members nothing but fairways and greens as it enters its 60th year.”
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Dave Seanor is the National Golf Examiner at Examiner.com. He’s an Orlando-based, scrappy 11-handicap who’s been a sports journalist at three major newspapers and two national golf magazines. He has covered the “Royal and Ancient Game” in 18 countries, once teaming with Nick Price to win a Pro-Am in Morocco.
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