Charleston, S.C. (September 8, 2025) — The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) congratulates CEO Jay Karen on his appointment as Chair of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Board of Directors for the 2026 fiscal year. Karen’s term began September 1, 2025, following the installation ceremony during ASAE’s Annual Meeting and Exposition in August.
This installation places a leader from the golf industry at the apex of the association profession, underscoring the vital contributions and growing influence of the sport on the national business community. Karen will lead ASAE – a membership organization representing over 50,000 association executives and industry partners – in navigating significant changes facing the association sector. His priority is to ensure the Board effectively addresses critical questions about organizational readiness, meets today’s challenges, seizes emerging opportunities and empowers staff leadership to deliver exceptional value to the association community.
“The association arena is experiencing some of the most profound shifts we’ve seen in decades,” says Karen. “My focus will be on guiding ASAE through these changes, ensuring we remain agile and forward-thinking. This includes leveraging my experience in fostering strong member relationships and understanding the evolving needs of business – principles that are central to the NGCOA’s mission – to benefit all of ASAE’s diverse membership.”
Karen has been instrumental in advocating for golf course owners and operators as CEO of the NGCOA. His expertise in association management, member advocacy and industry leadership will now extend to a broader audience, ensuring the golf industry is represented at the highest levels of the association world.
Karen adds, “I am grateful to former CEO of NGCOA, Mike Hughes, and all the boards I’ve worked for over the years for supporting and encouraging my involvement in ASAE over this career journey.”
ABOUT THE NATIONAL GOLF COURSE OWNERS ASSOCIATION
The NGCOA is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The association represents and promotes the interests of golf courses as the principal businesses and economic assets of the game of golf. The not-for-profit organization is the only trade association dedicated exclusively to golf course owners and operators. Through advocacy, education and information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses. For more information or to join, visit ngcoa.org or call 800-933-4262.
MEDIA CONTACT
Renée Flowers, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, NGCOA, rflowers@ngcoa.org