In 2016, the PGA of America proudly launched PGA LEAD, an emerging leaders program designed to identify, mentor, and progress diverse PGA Professionals who aspire to leadership roles at the Chapter, Section, and National levels of the Association’s governance. In total, 15 PGA Professionals comprise the inaugural PGA LEAD class of 2016-2017, including three members of Hispanic descent — Jorge Diaz, Josue Reyes, and Jeffrey Gutierrez. Jorge Diaz, PGA, is a Pacific Northwest PGA Section member. His passion for the game led him to earn a degree from New Mexico State University to pursue the Professional Golf Management Program. Diaz’s goal is to introduce golf to new communities. Josue Reyes, PGA, from the Wisconsin Section, is a merchandise manager at Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits in Kohler. Reyes attended the University of Central Florida, and is dedicated to community work and promoting diversity and inclusion. Jeffrey Gutierrez is chief of Golf Course Operations at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. He attended New Mexico State University, the University of Oklahoma, and was one of the recipients of the Air Force’s prestigious LeMay Award.
