Alumni Awards - Alumni Professional Achievement Award
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Alumni Professional Achievement Award
Jay Karen '96
The Alumni Professional Achievement Award recognizes significant contributions alumni have made to their fields while exemplifying high moral and professional ethics. Jay Karen '96 is being honored for his outstanding accomplishments in the golf industry with the 2017 Alumni Professional Achievement Award.
Karen is the CEO of National Golf Course Owners Association, where he leads the trade association and its initiatives to support the success of the golf course business. Prior to that appointment, Karen was CEO of Select Registry, a portfolio of more than 300 premier boutique hotels, inns and B&Bs. He also has worked as president and CEO of the trade association representing owners of small, independent lodging businesses and earlier with the National Golf Course Owners Association.
Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Winthrop, a Master of Arts degree in American history from the College of Charleston and is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) by the American Society of Association Executives.
He recently served on the board of directors of the U.S. Travel Association and the College of Charleston's Hospitality and Tourism Management degree program. In his present job, he serves on numerous boards in the golf industry. Major news outlets and golf publications call upon Karen for his insights on the sport.
Within the association community, Karen has been asked to author articles and make presentations on effective leadership and membership growth. In addition, he serves on the Advisory Board to McKinley Advisors, one of the association industry's most respected consulting companies.
At Winthrop, Karen was a former member of the Alumni Executive Board, the Credentials Committee of the Alumni Executive Board, Annual Giving Advisory Council, Young Alumni Council member and Winthrop Alumni Admissions Volunteer. Karen was recognized as a student with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in 1996 and received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 2004.
He is married to Carrie Stuart Lyndrup '99.