A veteran staff member of The PGA of America, Joe Steranka was named as The PGA's Chief Executive Officer in October 2005. He is just the second CEO in the storied golf Association's history, which dates back to 1916.

Steranka, who joined The PGA in April 1988, was The PGA's Managing Director of Communications and Broadcasting before his selection to succeed the long-tenured Jim Awtrey, who retired as CEO of The PGA of America in 2005. Steranka maintains an exceptional track record in creating and marketing a wide variety of programs and services for PGA members and the golf industry.

As The PGA of America initiates a decade-long countdown to a Centennial celebration in 2016, Steranka brings to his new position a vision to guide the Association's staff in their dedication and service to the 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals. He previously had played a key role in developing the PGA 2011 strategic plan.

Through his stewardship, Steranka has guided relationships between The PGA and several television networks to broadcast the PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, Senior PGA Championship, PGA Grand Slam of Golf and the PGA Professional National Championship to unprecedented worldwide audiences. He also cultivated The PGA's relationship with acclaimed advertising agency Leo Burnett, leading to popular public service announcements for PGA members.

Steranka also steered The PGA's new media strategy, including the creation and expansion of The PGA's alliance with Time Warner to enhance PGA.com, now one of golf's most visited Web sites, with more than 1.5 million unique visitors every month.

The 48-year-old sports industry veteran also directed a number of new business ventures, including the on-site merchandising at The PGA's major Championships; the marketing and programming of Play Golf America, the Association's industry-wide player development program; and the development of the sponsorship program for Golf Retirement Plus, a supplemental retirement savings program for PGA Professionals. In 2006, he was appointed to the Board of Directors for Children's Healthcare Charity, Inc., which operates the Honda Classic; and as an Advisory Council member for the Environmental Institute for Golf.

Steranka and his wife, Joann, reside in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. A 1979 graduate of West Virginia University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Steranka has 27 years of sports management, marketing, public relations and television experience, including stints with the NBA's Washington Bullets and Cleveland Cavaliers.

In 1983, he joined ProServ, the renowned sports management firm. Through his efforts with legendary sports agents Donald Dell and David Falk, Steranka worked to create public relations and marketing programs for leading sports celebrities such as Michael Jordan.