Former Duke Energy Executive Begins Two-Year Term
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA (January 26, 2016) – With the start of the 2016 LPGA season kicking off this week in the Bahamas, the Tour announced today the election of Roberta Bowman, longtime sustainability and communications executive, as Chair of the LPGA’s Board of Directors.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to take on the role as Chair of the LPGA’s Board of Directors,” said Bowman. “It’s a very exciting time to be a part of the LPGA, and I look forward to helping the Tour continue to grow through its recent trend of positive momentum both on and off the course.”
WATCH HERE: Bowman’s first remarks as LPGA Board Chair
The West Hartford, Conn. native succeeds Mike Trager who served as Board chair in 2014-2015.
Bowman spent most of her business career at Duke Energy in Charlotte, NC. She joined the company in 1986 and served the multinational energy company for over 25 years before retiring in January 2012 as
Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer. In that role, Bowman served on the company’s
Management Committee and led the company’s integrated response to environmental risks and
opportunities. She also represented the company at industry, national and global policy forums. Her career at Duke Energy included executive leadership roles in public policy, government relations, environment health & safety, corporate communications and crisis management functions. Bowman started her career in 1978 at Northeast Utilities in Hartford, Conn.
“Roberta is both personally passionate and fully dedicated to the task of growing opportunities and benefits for our members, our sponsors, and our staff,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. “She is an incredible advocate of the LPGA and her time spent on the Board has proven that her unique combination of leadership and listening skills makes her a tremendous asset and visionary for helping us reach new heights.”
Bowman has served on the LPGA’s Board of Directors since August 2011 before taking over as Board Chair.
“My work with the LPGA fuels two of my passions: opportunities for women to achieve their dreams and the unique role golf plays in business and building relationships,” Bowman added. “I’ve seen how our LPGA professionals engage with fans and sponsors and believe it provides an exceptional opportunity in
professional sports. In addition to being outstanding athletes and golfers, our LPGA professionals are terrific role models as well.”
As an avid golfer herself, Bowman chaired the Executive Steering Committee of the 2001 U.S. Women’s Open and co-chaired the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open, both held at Pine Needles Golf Club and Lodge.
In addition to her role with the LPGA, Bowman serves on the Board of Trustees of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, the state’s largest health insurer. She remains active in business as founding principal of Bowman Strategic Advisors, providing consulting services in sustainability, energy, leadership and crisis management.
Bowman earned a BA and graduated with distinction from Tufts University. She and her husband, Andrew, reside in Bluffton, S.C. and Linville, N.C.
The LPGA Board of Directors is comprised of six independent directors; the LPGA Player Directors (Player Executive Committee); Deb Vangellow, the national president of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP); and Mike Whan, Commissioner of the LPGA.
The 2016 LPGA Player Directors are: Vicki Goetze-Ackerman (President), Katherine Kirk, Mariajo Uribe, Dewi Claire Schreefel, Morgan Pressel, Sarah Jane Smith, and Ai Miyazato.
The LPGA independent board members are: Roberta B. Bowman, former Sr. Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Duke Energy; Karen Jennings, former Sr. Executive V.P., AT&T; Peter Carfagna, Chairman/ CEO Magis, LLC and former chief legal officer IMG; David Fay, former Executive Director USGA; Mike Trager, Chairman The Trager Group and former chairman of Clear Channel Entertainment Television; and Peggy Mulligan, former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Valeant Pharmaceuticals Int’l (formerly Biovail).
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