Contract Extension for PGA of Canada CEO Gary Bernard

The PGA of Canada’s Board of Directors has approved a contract extension for Chief Executive Officer Gary Bernard until 2019.

The 58-year-old Bernard has been CEO of the PGA of Canada since 2010.

“On behalf of the National Board of Directors’ of the PGA of Canada, I am thrilled to announce we have reached an agreement with Gary Bernard to continue in his role as Chief Executive Officer until the year 2019,” said PGA of Canada President Constant Priondolo. “Gary became CEO during the global economic downturn but has managed to positively navigate the association by maintaining strong membership numbers, posting positive financial results and by building a young, energetic and passionate team at the national headquarters.”

Bernard has been a PGA of Canada member since 1991, earning his Class “A” status in 1994. In 1995 he became national education learning facilitator with the association. He then became a national education trainer in 2000 and a national education advisor in 2001. From 2004-2009 Bernard was the PGA of Canada’s director of education. He also served as chair of the National Allied Golf Association (NAGA) from 2011-2012.

He’s also a respected member of the CEO leadership group within PGA World Alliance & PGA’s of Europe and has driven the collaboration of PGA of Canada within these organizations.

“I am thrilled to be offered the privilege of representing the PGA of Canada and working on behalf of the membership with an extraordinary team at the national office and a visionary national board of directors,” said Bernard. “As a fellow PGA of Canada member, this opportunity means I can continue to live our mission statement every day and strive towards helping every member live a better life and earn a better living,” he said, adding, “as your CEO I relish the challenge of moving the organization forward in challenging economic times and ensuring our position as a leading PGA both domestically and globally.”

Prior to becoming a PGA of Canada member, Bernard spent eight years as an educator within the New Brunswick public school system. During that time he was named “Young Professional of The Year” by the Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (CAPHER). In addition, he served as vice-president, and later president of the Physical Education Teachers Society; representing New Brunswick at the World CAPHER conference in Vancouver in 1986.

The Mirimichi, N.B., native is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick, earning both a Bachelor of Education degree in 1979 and a Masters of Education in 2012. Bernard was named to the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds Second Team 1970’s All Decade team and was recently inducted into the Mirimichi, N.B., Sports Wall of Fame.