Executive Staff
John M. Brown
Chief Executive Officer
Background
- Has spoken on various Golf Inc panels about driving profitability through technology.
- Began career in banking with Wells Fargo for two years, before moving to Troon Golf for six years, and beginning Brown Golf in 2011.
- Played four years of Collegiate Golf. One year at Hofstra University and three years at West Chester University.
Bio
John has overseen continued expansion of Brown Golf to twenty-one facilities and twenty-nine golf courses in seven states. John’s background in golf is extensive and he has held roles of Golf Group Sales Manager, Membership Director, Sales Director, General Manager, COO, and CEO. John continues to build a systematic platform that any golf course owner can tap into to increase efficiencies, drive profitability, and increase club awareness.
Favorite Movie Quote
“Low, and he walks the bases loaded on 12 straight pitches. How can these guys lay off pitches that close?” – Harry Doyle | Major League
Jason Harshbarger, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Background
- In 2015, Jason was awarded the Financial Executive of the Year – Rising Star Award by the Central Penn Business Journal
- In 2012, Jason was honored by the Central Penn Business Journal as one of the regions Forty under 40 for his commitment to business growth, professional excellence and community service
- In 2011, Jason was recognized by the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants as one of the State’s 40 under 40 members to watch
- Jason and his wife Stacy are both licensed CPAs and have worked with over 100+ golf courses
Bio
Jason serves as CFO for Brown Golf Management. Prior to joining Brown Golf in 2011, Jason provided outsourced accounting and finance functions for golf courses nationwide through his practice – Harshbarger & Company LLC.
From 2002 to 2006 he served as Corporate Controller for a national golf course company which owned and operated 29 golf courses in the Mid-Atlantic.
Jason also spent five years in public accounting, four of them with Ernst & Young. During his four years with Ernst & Young, Jason served public and private clients throughout Central Pennsylvania and across the country, including those in industries such as sports and entertainment, technology and consumer and industrial products manufacturing. He was primarily responsible for the completion of financial statement and other compliance audits, SEC filings and acquisition accounting for multi-location companies, including foreign subsidiaries.
In 1996, Jason earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with an Accounting concentration from Shippensburg University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) and has maintained his CPA certification since 1999. He is a past Vice President of Education for the Harrisburg Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants and served on the Board of Directors for Family Support of Central Pennsylvania, a child abuse prevention and education organization. Currently he is a member of the PICPA’s Speakers Bureau and Relations with Schools and Colleges Committees.
Todd Brown
VP – Business Development
Background
Bio
Todd’s path into the golf business wasn’t as direct as one might believe. Throughout this path there were quite a few forks in the road that eventually circled back into the golf business. Todd started his golf career as an aspiring golfer looking to make it through the mini tours and into the big time. Needless to say, the competition was stout and prevented him from fulfilling this dream.
After his attempt at the PGA Tour, Todd began selling cars which allowed him to meet some interesting people and ended up landing a job with a consulting firm. After that, Todd worked on the Mechanicsburg, Pa Naval supply depot for almost two years before the opportunity presented itself to get back into the golf industry.
This opportunity was to begin working on a new golf management company, Brown Golf Management. Taking a leap of faith, Todd and John began this new business as a startup in a basement in 2011 with no properties. By the end of the 1st year, Brown Golf had secured 3 properties and were on their way out of the basement. Now, Brown Golf is inside the 25 worldwide for Golf Management companies.
Todd stated, “I know that we have great people in our organization and without their tireless efforts we were just two guys in a basement throwing a football on our lunch break. Having a family (Wife 3 kids & a dog) & creating this business have been more rewarding for me than chasing golf tournament titles ever was.”
Currently, Todd is an owner and Executive VP of Brown Golf, focusing on developing new business relationships and bringing great value and experience to their customers and employees.
Favorite Movie Quote
“Some have minds on the past, others have minds for the future, but I choose to stay in the now.” Tom Brady (Great quote, but go Giants)
Regional Managers
Sarah Minnis
Regional Manager
Background
- Consistently operated a BGM property at the lowest F&B COGS% from 2015 – 2018
- Developed numerous processes and reports utilized by multiple facilities
- Loves everything LeBron James
Bio
Sarah began her employment with Brown Golf in 2015 and has worked at Julington Creek Golf Club since 2009. Sarah started her career in the golf industry as a part-time beverage cart attendant and bartender while she was attending college. Upon graduation from the University of North Florida with her B.A. in Psychology, Sarah was promoted to Food and Beverage Manager. Sarah developed new policies and procedures that transformed Julington Creek’s F&B department into one of the strongest in the company. Many of these procedures have been implemented throughout all the facilities owned and/or operated by Brown Golf. Sarah was promoted and became the General Manager at Julington Creek in 2018 and the club has flourished under her leadership. Sarah’s strong work ethic and attention to detail was recognized by Brown Golf and in 2019 she was promoted to Regional Manager overseeing three golf courses.
Favorite Quote
Just do it – Nike
Sean Duggan
Regional Manager
Background
- Class A PGA Professional
- B.S. in Business Administration, Methodist University, PGM
- Completed PGA Certification Education in Executive Management
Bio
Sean is a native of the Washington D.C. Metro Area. He began his professional career as an outside service professional at Westfields Golf Club in Clifton, Virginia in 2005. Throughout his vast Private & Public Golf experience, Sean has held positions throughout the industry in Golf Course Maintenance, Golf Operations, F&B Operations, Membership Sales, & Retail Operations. He most recently was the Head Golf Professional & Golf Shop Owner at Stoneleigh Golf Club in Round Hill, Virginia before joining Brown Golf in his position as a Regional General Manager in 2019. Sean enjoys spending his free time with his family wife, Veronica, and daughter, Gabriella. He is also an accomplished musician, concert goer, and sports enthusiast.
Favorite Movie Quote:
“Get busy living or get busy dying.” — Andy Dufresne | The Shawshank Redemption
Michael Gardner
Regional Manager
Background
- Retired from a Fortune 500 company after 30 years of service
- Passionate about employee retention and co-founded the Brown Golf Beyond Great recognition program.
- Nominated for employee of the quarter
- Focused on providing a quality product and coupling that with signature service
- Probably the only cross handed player you will ever meet. If you are bored- look up Papwa Sewsunker Sewgolum for interesting facts about cross handed players.
Bio
Michael’s wife joined Brown Golf in early 2014 and after witnessing second-hand the potential of the company to grow in the future, Michael decided to inquire about the possibility of joining the team. At the time, Michael had little golf industry knowledge however, the managerial skills developed from his 30 years at Fortune 500 company and passion to learn providing made the path to his current position easier to navigate. Michael’s first role in the company was managing the F&B department for two clubs in Hilton head/Bluffton SC market. Quickly showcasing his skills, Michael was soon promoted to clubhouse Manager at Palmetto Hall, then to General Manager and then Assistant Regional manager. Currently, Michael is in a Regional Manager role with oversight of Palmetto Hall, Dolphin Head and Palisades Golf Club in Charlotte, NC.
Favorite Quote
“Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people!” -Steve Jobs
Corporate Support Staff
Joe Rattigan
Corporate Counsel and Regional Manager
Background
Joe Rattigan holds the position of Operations Counsel/Regional Manager with Brown Golf, where he provides guidance and advice on legal matters impacting the company as well as general business strategy. Joe, in his capacity as Regional Manager, has also had oversight of operations at several Brown Golf properties. Joe also has direct operational management experience as an onsite general manager, allowing him to provide a unique blend of legal and operational industry experience to Brown Golf. Prior to joining Brown Golf and after completing law school, Joe practiced law at a large firm in Philadelphia. Joe received his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and his undergraduate degree from West Chester University.
Cool Things:
- Played 4 years of Division 2 College Golf at West Chester University, where he served as a captain of the golf team and was named an Academic All American.
Jimmie Murphy
Director of Agronomy
Background
- Co-developed the BG Agronomy Intranet Website
- Held General Manager & Superintendent Positions
- Managed multiple golf course construction projects
- Accomplished Professional Angler
- Still trying to beat PJ at a round of golf
Bio:
Jimmie’s career in the golf industry has been quite extensive. Holding management positions other than Superintendent has helped to carve a unique set of skills that reaches past the arm of the agronomy department to bring not only better conditioning but, also but management of expenses and capital improvement projects. Jimmie was hired by Brown Golf in 2015 as the Director of Agronomy to bring his extensive knowledge of turfgrass programs and golf course construction skills to every club in the portfolio. Jimmie’s insights to agronomic processes and overall course conditioning has proven invaluable for Brown Golf and the owners of the companies managed properties.
PJ Politan
Director of Management Services
Background
- 9 years of General Manager experience
- Active volunteer at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville Campus
- Completed first Half Ironman in October 2019
- Works hard on his golf game to ensure he stays unbeaten by Jimmie Murphy
Bio
PJ began his professional career with Troon Golf at Haig Point Club, Daufuskie Island SC, a high-end private island community before moving to Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, SC. In 2011, Brown Golf approached PJ with an opportunity for a General Manager position in Bluffton, SC. PJ’s natural leadership abilities tied together with his unrelentless drive to maximize every department’s ability for performance opened the gate for numerous future opportunities within the company. Since joining Brown Golf, PJ has brought success to multiple facilities under the title of General and Regional Manager. Under his current role of Director of Management Services, PJ is focused on utilizing his wealth of skills and operations knowledge to elevate every managed facility in the Brown Golf Portfolio
Favorite Movie Quote:
“Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that!” – Rocky Balboa
Justin Seliga
Corporate Accountant
Background
- Holds a Bachelor’s in Accounting and a Master’s in Business Administration
- Nominated for the Beyond Great Award – June 2019
- Passionate about all sports, especially Penn State football and the Philadelphia Flyers
Bio:
Justin started with Brown Golf directly out of college in 2014 as a staff accountant. As Brown Golf grew, Justin was able to develop his raw accounting skills and mold them to help present the ownership group of BGM and managed facilities with accurate, timely financial reporting packages needed for timely business decisions. As his skills developed, he quickly rose through the accounting ranks to become the corporate controller for the company. He currently helps lead the accounting department consisting of four regional accountants to provide all third-party ownership groups and the Brown Golf ownership with accurate and timely financial reporting for key business decisions. Justin also spearheads the Corporate Partnership program with Brown Golf and vendors to achieve the best pricing for all facilities within the Brown Golf portfolio.
Favorite Movie Quote:
“Don’t ever let someone tell you, you can’t do something. Not even me. You got a dream, you got to protect it. People can’t do something themselves; they want to tell you can’t do it. You want something, go get it. Period. All right?” – Chris Gardner, The Pursuit of Happiness
Brent Miller
Director of Sales & Marketing
Background
- Holds a Degree in Golf Management
- Brown Golf Employee of the Quarter, 2nd Quarter 2016
- Coded the Loyalty Rewards Software Program used in the Jacksonville Market
- Passionate about the Golf Business and Technology
- Holds claim to 1 Hole in One
Bio:
Brent started with Brown Golf in 2014 after the company took on the management of a property where he was the Head Golf Professional. After showcasing his out-of-the box thinking and aptitude to maximize the tools at his grasp to market a facility and grow revenue, Brown Golf decided to promote Brent up through the ranks. Since then Brent has held numerous positions within the company such as General Manager at 3 different properties, Regional Manager and Operations Analyst. Compiling the skills learned throughout these roles, Brent now leads the BG Drive team to bring actionable data and detailed strategies to elevate every facility in the portfolio.
Favorite Movie Quote:
“We had a chance to meet this young man and boy… That’s just a straight shooter with upper management written all over him.” – One of the Bob’s | Office Space
Michael Shure
Social Media & Brand Management
Background
- Judy Burgess Perseverance Award (PGCC)
- Best Coloring of a Bear (1st Grade)
Bio:
Michael graduated from PGCC in April of 2009 and spent over 11 years working in the golf industry. His skills include graphic design, social media and brand management and is a self-proclaimed excellent fort builder for his daughters. It’s been the greatest joy of my life to do what I love in an industry that has given me more than I could have ever asked for.
Favorite Movie Quote:
“I’ve cried twice in my life. Once when I was 7 and hit by a school bus. And then again when I heard that lil’ Sebastian had passed.”– Ron Swanson
Teresa Madden
Director of Human Resources
Background
My name is Teresa Madden and I am excited to begin my career with Brown Golf as the new Director of HR! I have over 13 years of experience in not only the HR world but the Business world too. My most recent position was with DHL Supply Chain as a Regional HR Manager. My responsibilities in this role included HR management of 11 different accounts across PA and MD, leadership recruiting, conversion of acquired accounts and new site start ups in the local area, employee relations and retention as well as various other regional projects. Prior to my roughly 6 years with DHL, I spent the previous 9 years in the early education field in various roles from single site management, to the Director of Training and Development to District Director overseeing for multiple site operations. My diverse background in various industries and responsibilities has taught me to blend both the needs of the business with creating a culture where people want to work! I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the Brown Golf team and I look forward to working with each of you.
Latest Brown Golf News
- Royal Manchester Continues to Impress January 9, 2020 Michael Shure
- Meet Our Staff December 11, 2019 Michael Shure
- Brown Golf Management Takes Back Control November 18, 2019 Michael Shure
- Willow Brook Golf Course October 18, 2019 Brent Miller
- Brown Golf Teams with Bird Golf Academy July 10, 2019 Michael Shure
- Lederach gains Audubon International Recertification June 28, 2019 Michael Shure
BGM Portfolio
