Department Leadership Team

Bangalan provides leadership, integration and key support to help the organization move towards its vision. Her focus is placed on the development of organizational goals, tracking progress on current initiatives, and identifying and evaluating strategic opportunities that will maximize the long-term value of the association to members and other important stakeholders. Bangalan earned a bachelor’s degree in Business from San Diego State University.

Finney oversees four key programmatic areas in membership programs, chapter services, learning and career development and First Green and workforce development. In addition to serving current members, she is responsible for the development and implementation of growth and retention strategies of new members. She spent two decades as a superintendent and is the former executive director of the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association.

Randall oversees the field staff program and other chapter services, which aim to strengthen the awareness, access and engagement of GCSAA programs and services. Randall and his team help advance chapter operations and chapter leadership which support GCSAA at the local and regional level. Randall received a bachelor’s degree in business management and communications from St. John’s University and a master’s degree in mass communications from the University of South Dakota.

Hartmann is responsible for the strategy and oversight of communications efforts. She and her team engage in public relations campaigns, website content, social media, weekly enewsletters and corporate communications. She has spent her entire career in association communications. Hartmann has a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications from Kansas State University.

Brown provides leadership to manage, plan and execute logistical requirements that ensure a first-class, well-organized GCSAA Conference and Trade Show for GCSAA, its partners, exhibitors and industry alliances. Her oversight includes compilation of detailed specifications, site research, convention center, vendor and hotel contracts and travel services. Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in Business from Emporia State University. She holds the Certified Meeting Professional designation.

Brown is responsible for the strategy and execution of sales and business development programs. Brown and his team manage key customer relationships and develop new and diverse revenue opportunities to enhance GCSAA and the GCSAA Foundation within the golf industry. Brown also oversees the trade show sales and logistics of the Golf Industry Show. Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Oklahoma.

Cooper leads execution of initiatives focused on enabling current members to continue to grow their careers to increase the skills available to support labor needs and increase interest in choosing turfgrass management careers. At the center of these efforts is the GCSAA’s First Green program. First Green provides STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) education for school-aged students through hands-on learning field trips led by GCSAA-member superintendents. Copper has a bachelor's degree in art history from the University of Kansas.

Wright provides the management and support of the GCSAA Foundation's fundraising initiatives including the organization's annual fund, donor experience and select fundraising programs. Wright earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Bethany College. She has served on numerous non-profit boards and co-founded the Cancer Council of Reno County.

Johnson provides leadership, direction and project management for the various environmental programs, tools and services at GCSAA. Mark has worked for more than 30 years in outdoor recreation, environmental protection, wildlife and natural resource conservation. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in systematics and ecology. He also completed the Sustainable Business Leadership Certificate program through Johnson County Community College.

Blackburn is responsible for the oversight of finance and accounting, including reporting, payroll, tax, audit and other regulatory requirements. He also leads the member solutions team, which supports membership processing, conference registration, merchandise/bookstore and database integrity. Blackburn earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Kansas.

McKeel directs and manages programs and activities of the government affairs department to advance the overall image of superintendents and the industry. She provides regulatory compliance information to GCSAA members to establish themselves as experts on managing risk at the facility. McKeel earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and geography from the University of Kansas and worked in the Kansas State Senate.

Chapple provides the leadership necessary to deliver a spectrum of strategic and tactical HR programs and support to the GCSAA staff including recruitment, benefits and compensation administration, performance management, employment practice and policy, and employee relations. Chapple earned a bachelor’s degree in personnel administration from the University of Kansas.

Norwood provides leadership and guidance for GCSAA’s learning and development programs and initiatives, including career development, e-learning, external education, certification and certificate programs. She also oversees learning strategies for the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show. Norwood joined the GCSAA team in March 2012 as curriculum specialist.

Hartsock oversees the writing, editing and overall production of GCSAA’s award-winning monthly publication, Golf Course Management, including the management of GCM’s digital version and social media properties. He and his team also provide internal writing and editing services for other GCSAA departments. Hartsock studied English and Journalism at the University of Kansas.