Board & Staff
Staff
JIM ESTES
PGA CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION
Jim Estes is the PGA Director of Golf Instruction at Blue Mash Golf Course in Olney, MD, with a career dating back to 1988. A PGA Class A member since 1993, Jim has worked with top instructors and achieved PGA TOUR exempt status, a Nationwide Tour win, and five major championship appearances. He founded the Salute Military Golf Association (SMGA) and was honored with the PGA of America’s 2010 Patriot Award. Jim was recognized as one of Golf Range Magazine's top 50 instructors in 2008 and qualified for the Senior PGA Championship and U.S. Senior Open in 2018.
CHRIS JOHNSON
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Chris Johnson has 25 years of experience in media and broadcasting, including roles as a manager, producer, and on-air talent. He was the Program Director of WTEM-AM The Team 980 in Washington, DC, overseeing operations, programming, and marketing. Johnson has also been the Executive Producer for the Washington Football Team’s gameday broadcast and worked on major events like Super Bowls, Final Fours, PGA Tour events, and NCAA Bowl games. He served as an SMGA board member for 10 years before transitioning to Executive Director.
GRIFFIN RAFFERTY
MANAGER OF EQUIPMENT & GOLF PROGRAMS
Griffin Rafferty a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His journey began with hands-on experience as a club fitter at TaylorMade Golf, where he deepened his technical knowledge of equipment and honed his ability to connect with customers on a personal level. These skills became the foundation for his role as Assistant Manager at Golfdom, a premier golf retail store, where he helped lead daily operations, mentor staff, and ensure an exceptional customer experience.
Griffin accepted his role as the Golf programs & equipment manager at SMGA in January 2025 and looks to expand his role within the organization.
Executive Committee
PETER B. BECHTEL
CHAIRMAN
Mr. Bechtel served as an Army Combat Infantryman and as an Expeditionary DoD Civilian. His most recent deployment was with the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan. He has been a member of the SMGA Board of Directors since its founding and has served as Chairman for many years.
JAMES WINSLOW
PRESIDENT
James Winslow is currently the Senior Director of Government Affairs for the Sumitomo Corporation of America. Mr. Winslow played Division I golf at The George Washington University and was elected to its “All-Decade Team” for the 1980s. Mr. Winslow has extensive board experience with non-profit institutions, presently serving as the Chairman of the Rock Creek Foundation and as a member of the Conference Board’s Community and Public Issues Council. Mr. Winslow holds an MBA in Finance and Investments and a BA in Psychology from The George Washington University.
JIM KNORR
VICE PRESIDENT
Jim Knorr retired in 2009 after a 33-year career as a Federal Agent with the USDA Office of Inspector General, conducting over 800 criminal investigations and recovering millions through asset forfeitures. He also protected cabinet-level officials during overseas travel. Currently, he serves as Lead Firearms Instructor for Lockheed Martin’s Specialized Security Training branch in Washington, D.C. Jim has volunteered with the Salute Military Golf Association (SMGA) since 2010 and joined its Board in 2011.
COL. JOHN BARNES (US ARMY RET.)
TREASURER
John Barnes serves as the Treasurer for the Salute Military Golf Association.
Board of Directors
Jason David Chief Master Sergeant (retired) Combat Wounded, Purple Heart OIF/OEF
POST 9/11 VETERAN BOARD MEMBER
22 Years as Combat Cameraman
Served 18 years overseas.
Hit with an RPG during a raid. Both shoulders, hips and spine replaced. 6 months in Landstuhl and Walter Reed.
Went on to serve as a DoD Field Activity Command Senior Enlisted Leader. Recipient of an Emmy, Telly, & Communicator award. Originally from Honolulu Hawaii. Proud father to Leinani David (teen) and doting husband to his wife Maria, also a Veteran.
Spends his time giving back to the Veteran Community though VA compensation counseling, public speaking engagement and more.
Was appointed Senior Executive Advisor to the National Commander of the military order of the Purple Heart.
ANDY MCCANN
BOARD MEMBER
Andy McCann has been a member of SMGA’s Board of Directors since 2011. Andy is an IT professional working for CSRA as a process manager and ITIL instructor. Aside from a previous term as Board Secretary, his focus area includes corporate partnerships, clinic support, and community outreach. In addition, Andy serves as the liaison for SMGA’s national relationship with Booz Allen Hamilton.
CHARLES EGGLESTON
POST 9/11 VETERAN BOARD MEMBER
Charles Eggleston, a retired U.S. Army combat veteran and Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, served 3½ years as a Wounded Warrior in Transition at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He is the President and CEO of Three Seven Consulting, Inc., Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart for Maryland, and serves on the boards of Blue Star Families and In Honor of Our Troops. Charles also represents the Maryland Joint Veterans Committee as a state delegate.
TONY FERNANDEZ
BOARD MEMBER
Tony Fernandez serves as the SMGA General Counsel (pro bono).
BRIAN FINAN
BOARD MEMBER
Brian Finan has been on the SMGA board for several years; he has previously served as SMGA’s President.
DEWITT OSBORNE
POST 9/11 VETERAN BOARD MEMBER
Sergeant DeWitt T. Osborne III joined the U.S. Army in 1982 and was severely injured by an IED while serving in Iraq. His injuries included a traumatic brain injury and required 18 surgeries, extensive rehabilitation, and four years at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Retiring in 2010, he overcame depression through golf, introduced by the Salute Military Golf Association. Golf became a vital part of his recovery, providing physical and mental challenges and a platform to share his experiences. Sergeant Osborne is a Purple Heart recipient.
JON BENNETT
BOARD MEMBER
Jon Bennett has been Vice President of Government Relations at SES Space & Defense since October 2018, leading policy, legislative, and funding initiatives to support the company's mission. He works closely with Congress and the Department of Defense to advance satellite communication strategies for the U.S. government. Jon holds degrees from Ithaca College and the National Defense University and resides in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Danielle, and son, Parker.
JOHN LOGAN
BOARD MEMBER
John Logan is the founder of The Logan Home Group. Veteran-owned and operated, The Logan Home Group serves Maryland, D.C., NoVa, and Southern Pennsylvania areas, specializing in residential home sales(buying and selling) from top to bottom, investment properties, Military Relocation and VA purchases, new construction, and more. When John’s not helping others achieve their dreams, he spends time with his young daughters, on the bay boating, cooking, and traveling with his beautiful wife Rebecca.
BOB WINEGARD
BOARD MEMBER
Bob is the founder of Imagen Records based in Washington, DC.