FFCG Management Team and Board
David Reese, President
David Reese is an experienced sales and marketing professional with over 13 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. Currently, David is the president of Florida's First Coast of Golf, a golf destination marketing company located in Jacksonville Beach. He oversees the operation of the 501(c)6 organization that is designed to promote golf tourism to the First Coast. The foundation is built on cooperative marketing/public relations efforts for 61 industry partners, 5 counties, and the State under a unified brand. The accomplishments of the organization revolve around solid strategic, marketing/public relations plans and intense volunteer involvement.
David began his career as a convention sales manager for the Jacksonville Convention and Visitor’s bureau. David earned his bachelors degree in marketing with an emphasis on hospitality management from Florida State University.
As an active participant in the community David serves on the Board of Directors for International Association of Golf Tour Operators 2001-present, is a member of the Gator Bowl Association, VISIT FLORIDA’s Board of Directors, Visit Jacksonville’s Board of Directors, member of the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair Association, President of the SKAL Club of Jacksonville and a committee member of Visit Florida.
On a personal note, David is married with two children and resides in Jacksonville Beach. He is a active member of Neptune Baptist Church.
John McElreath, Vice President
John is a lifelong resident of the First Coast. Growing up in the Arlington area of Jacksonville, John has witnessed first hand the growth of golf, golf courses, and the progression of the Jacksonville PGA Tour event. Now living in St. Johns County, John has witnessed the remarkable make over from acres of pastureland to the now beautiful and flourishing World Golf Village, home of Golf's Hall of Fame. During its opening in 1998, John was a charter member of the Hall of Fame volunteer program that helped build a foundation for future volunteers.
As Vice President of Florida's First Coast of Golf, John combines his local golf knowledge with over 9 years of golf sales and marketing experience. John earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of West Florida in education.
John's golf sales and marketing affiliations are the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, (HSMAI), and International Network of Golf, (ING).
2009-2010 Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Jim Lear, Chairperson
General Manager, Riverside Management Group
Richard Goldman, Vice Chairperson
Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, Amelia Island Plantation
Dan Zimmer, Secretary
General Manager, St. John's Golf & Country Club
Jeff Truhlar
General Manager, Courtyard Marriott Oceanfront
Scott Selvaggi, Immediate Past Chairperson
Director of Sales and Marketing, The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village
David W. Reese, President
President, Florida's First Coast of Golf, Inc.
Peter P. Hargitai, Legal Counsel
Attorney, Holland & Knight, LLP
Board Members
Jason Kern
Marketing Manager, Hammock Beach Resort
Peggy Heiser
Vice President, Tourism Development, Flagler County TDC
Richard Goldman
Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, Amelia Island Plantation
Gil Langley
President & CEO, Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau
Richard Lowe
Regional Director of Operations, Larry Blumberg & Associates, Inc.
Barbara Halverstadt
Air Trade Develoment Manager, Jacksonville Aviation Authority
Jay Monahan
Vice President and Executive Director, THE PLAYERS Championship
Charles Cox
Vice President, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedrea, & The Beaches VCB
M.G. Orender
President, Hampton Golf, Inc.
Jack Peter
Chief Operating Officer, World Golf Hall of Fame
Bill Hughes
TPC Sawgrass
John Reyes
President & CEO, Visit Jacksonville
Billy Peterson
Honours Golf
Jaclyn Slaybaugh
Clay County Government Affairs Coordinator
Jeff Truhlar
General Manager, Courtyard Marriott Oceanfront
Holly Wohlfarth
General Manager, Amelia Hotel