STAFF

JIM ESTES, PGA
CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION

Jim Estes is currently the PGA Director of Golf Instruction at Olney Golf Park in Olney, MD. He has taught and played professionally since 1988. Jim earned his PGA Class A membership in 1993, and he has worked with some of the most accomplished instructors in the game of golf, including Mike Adams, Jim Flick, David Leadbetter, and Jim Suttie. Jim’s playing achievements include: earning exempt status on the PGA TOUR and recording two top 15 finishes in 1998; playing in 5 major championships (4 U.S. Opens and 1 PGA Championship); and a win on the Nationwide Tour. Jim’s most rewarding teaching accomplishment has been the founding of the Salute Military Golf Association (SMGA) and was presented with the PGA of America’s 2010 Patriot Award, was chosen as one of the top 50 instructors in America by Golf Range Magazine in 2008, and was one of 12 individuals honored with GOLF Magazine’s 2007 Innovator Awards. In 2018 Jim qualified for the first two “majors” on the Senior PGA Tour; the Senior PGA Championship and the US Senior Open.

CHRIS JOHNSON
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Chris Johnson has spent almost 20 years as an executive-level media and broadcasting professional with experience as a manager, producer, and on-air talent. Most recently, he was the co-host of the “Mike Wise Show” and the host of the “19th Hole” golf radio show on WJFK 106.7 FM in Washington, DC. From 2000 to 2008, Mr. Johnson served as Program Director and Executive Producer for WTEM-AM in Washington, D.C. There, he was responsible for overseeing all operations for the station including programming and marketing. He has also worked in a number of different capacities in the broadcasting world including as the Executive Producer for Washington Redskins games and as a producer on Super Bowls, Final Fours, and NCAA Bowl games.

JOHN REVIERE
MANAGER OF EQUIPMENT & GOLF PROGRAMS

After his service in the US Army, John spent many years in the corporate world. He graduated with honors and accreditations from Golf Academy Phoenix and used his knowledge and experience to introduce the great game of golf to golfers across the board, including Juniors and Special Olympics.  He joined the SMGA in 2016 and is the primary point-of-contact for our American Golfer Program.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

ANDY MCCANN
CHAIRMAN

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.

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 having served as a Federal Agent for the USDA Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, for 33 years. During that time, he conducted over 800 investigations of alleged criminal violations resulting in numerous indictments, search warrants, arrests, and the recovery of millions of dollars as a result of asset forfeitures. His duties also included the protection of cabinet-level officials on official government travel overseas. Jim is currently Lead Firearms Instructor, Washington, D.C. area, for Lockheed Martin’s Specialized Security Training branch. He is responsible for overseeing firearms qualifications for special government employees who have been deputized and armed by the federal government. Jim has served as a volunteer for SMGA since 2010 and a Board Member since 2011.

COL. JOHN BARNES (US ARMY RET.)
TREASURER

John Barnes serves as the Treasurer for the Salute Military Golf Association.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CAPT. MATT ANDERSON (US ARMY, RETIRED)
POST 9/11 VETERAN BOARD MEMBER

Matt Anderson is a retired US Army Captain who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan as an enlisted infantryman for four years and a combat arms officer for over five years. He found his love for golf during his physical rehabilitation after being wounded in Afghanistan in 2010 as an Infantry platoon leader. He continued to serve on Active Duty until 2014 with over nine years of service on active duty. Before he was elected to the board, Matt helped coordinate the start of the Fort Carson chapter, one of our biggest chapters to date. He is the recipient of the Purple Heart Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal among others. He is devoted to improving the rehabilitation of our wounded warfighters through golf and staying connected. Matt believes that showing new SMGA members how the fresh air, blue sky, and green grass of a golf course will positively impact their mental and physical rehabilitation.

PETER B. BECHTEL
BOARD MEMBER

Mr. Bechtel served in the Army as a Combat Infantryman and currently serves as Director of Operational Sustainment, Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan. He has been a member of the SMGA Board of Directors since its founding and served as Chairman for many years before his recent assignment to Afghanistan.

CHARLES EGGLESTON
POST 9/11 VETERAN BOARD MEMBER

Charles Eggleston is a retired OIF-OEF wounded combat war veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a U.S Army soldier and a Wounded Warrior in Transition (WIT) at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), where he received treatment for 3 ½ years. Charles Eggleston is also Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient. Currently, Mr. Eggleston is President and CEO of Three Seven Consulting, Inc., and serves as the Commander for the Military Order of the Purple Heart for the State of Maryland. He is also on the board of directors for Blue Star Families and In Honor of Our Troops. He also serves as a state delegate of the Maryland Joint Veterans Committee for the State of Maryland.

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.  While serving in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, his vehicle was hit by an IED outside the city limits of Bagdad.  He suffered multiple injuries to his C-spine, right shoulder, and right foot, as well as a traumatic brain injury.  Sergeant Osborne was evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for treatment, including 18 surgeries, countless hours of mental and physical rehabilitation, six months in a wheelchair, and a total of four years at the hospital.  He retired from military service in November 2010.

In 2009, after being told by his doctors and surgeons that his military career was finished, Sergeant Osborne went through a period of depression.  He was introduced to the game of golf by the Salute Military Golf Association and in April 2010, after the last surgery on his C-spine, he decided that he wanted to live a better, healthier life.

Sergeant Osborne enjoys the physical and mental challenges of golf.  The sport also serves as an opportunity for him to share his combat experience, as well as life after his injury.  Among many other awards, Sergeant Osborne is a recipient of the Purple Heart.

JORDAN PLAYER
BOARD MEMBER

Jordan is the Business Development Coordinator for Harbor Lights Financial Group Inc. in Manasquan, NJ, and is the grandson of World Golf Hall of Famer, Gary Player.

BRAD ROBERGE
BOARD MEMBER

Brad has coordinated The Fall Classic golf tournament in Leesburg, VA for years with family and friends.  All are honored to spend time with SMGA Vets on and off the course.  Brad works for Raytheon / Forcepoint supporting the SOF Community.

JERRY SHANAHAN
BOARD MEMBER & DIRECTOR OF SMGA NEW ENGLAND

Jerry is a father of 5 wonderful kids, 9 grandchildren, and a beautiful wife Vicki.  He has worked in sales all of his life selling shoes, forms design with Standard Register Co, business communications systems with New England Tel & Tel, Northeast Regional Sales Mgr. for Sebastiani Vineyards of Sonoma Calif, Financial Advisor Director with Ercolini and Co and successfully transitioned this relationship to a partnership with Bay Financial Associates before retiring and starting our SMGA Boston chapter in 2012. He had the vision to expand the chapter throughout New England which was realized in 2017 with the chapter became SMGA New England.  SMGA New England is the second-largest and most active SMGA Chapter behind our flagship Maryland chapter with over 300 Warrior Golf Clinic  Veterans served since 2013. All New England states are represented with 46 Veterans graduating at 11 different locations annually. Jerry hosts over 30 group outings each year and 6 locations offer SMGA Veteran group memberships. Jerry is definitely a master relationship builder. He says, “I consider myself one who could not keep a job forever but built many lasting relationships over the years.”

BOB WINEGARD
BOARD MEMBER

Bob is the founder of Imagen Records based in Washington, DC.