Rhett Evans, CEO of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America

J. Rhett Evans is the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s chief executive officer. Evans joined the GCSAA team in July 2009 as chief operating officer and was promoted to CEO in January 2011. He is the eighth CEO since the association’s founding in 1926.

Rhett is focused on expanding GCSAA's reach and influence to become the global leader in golf course management. Under Evans, GCSAA has elevated the superintendents’ and industry’s voices through advocacy efforts at the national and grassroots levels. In addition, through Evans’ leadership of GCSAA and its philanthropic organization, the Environmental Institute for Golf, the discussion of sustainability has progressed from theory to action at golf facilities. GCSAA is spearheading the development of centralized best management practices, tools and templates to enhance environmental progress while improving facilities’ bottom lines.

GCSAA's enhancement of the vitality of the game of golf has been strengthened through Evans’ work with allied and industry organizations. Evans was instrumental in helping establish WE ARE GOLF, a coalition of golf’s leading organizations working together to communicate the game’s economic, charitable, environmental and fitness benefits to congressional leaders and local lawmakers. He served two terms as chairman of the board and is currently serving on the executive board of WAG as well as serving on the executive board for Golf 20/20. Evans represents the association and profession on the Golf Channel, Sirius XM Radio and other national media outlets.

Prior to arriving at GCSAA, Evans was director of the parks, recreation and commercial facilities division for the city of Mesa, Ariz. Evans earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology with an emphasis in business, and a master’s degree in recreation management and leadership with an emphasis in public administration from Brigham Young University. He is also a graduate of the Public Assembly Facility Management School.

Rhett is a native of Prescott, Ariz. He and his wife, Colleen, have a daughter, Caite, and son, Seth. Evans is a four-time Ironman Triathlon finisher and an active adventurist.