Washington, D.C. – February 6, 2025 – First Tee-Greater Washington, DC Executive Director, Clint Sanchez, recently announced the promotions of Roger Brown and Mike Cilano to new roles that will help the organization better serve its more than 2,000 annual participants.
Brown, a PGA Professional and eight-year staffer with the non-profit youth development organization, will advance from Program Manager, Maryland to Director of Player Development. His main will focus will be on-course programs, golf skills-based initiatives, participant development and additional programming and outreach management.
“Roger is an experienced golf professional who enjoys working with our young people and has dedicated several years to managing and growing our impact in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County,” said Sanchez. “This new role will allow him to allocate more time to developing league opportunities such as the Beltway Classic and PGA Junior League, golf skills camps and clinics, facilitating access to equipment and providing personal instruction to some of our talented young golfers.”
Cilano, a former middle school and high school history teacher and vice principal, moves from Program Manager, Washington DC, to Director of Education and Community Outreach. He will now focus on educational programs and participant engagement, community outreach, school program, volunteer and coach outreach and management.
“Mike joined us two years ago from the education sector and his experience working with and teaching young people has been extremely beneficial to our organization. We’re excited to see him advance to this new role,” said Sanchez. “He will manage programs such as our Teen Summit, STEAM camp, Teen Advisory Council and National Golf Day activation as well as lead coach outreach and management among other duties.”
In addition to Brown, Cilano and Sanchez, the First Tee-Greater Washington DC Chapter staff includes: Katie Blodgett, Sr. Director of Operations and Programs; Palmer Moody, Sr. Director of Communications and Advancement; Katie Hoesch, Sr. Director of Development; Ben Stasium, Program Manager, Northern Virginia; Dolly Davis, Program Registrar; and Almay Alday, Manager of Girls Golf and Volunteer Programs.
Sanchez took the helm at First Tee-Greater Washington DC in 2012 when the organization served 300 participants at three golf facilities and had an operating budget of $400,000. Today, the Chapter serves more than 2,000 participants age 7-18 at 23 golf facility program locations throughout Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, MD and Prince George’s County, MD with an operating budget of nearly $2 million. The Chapter also impacts just under 200,000 students through its School Program which allows P.E. teachers across the Greater Washington area access to the life, leadership and golf skills curriculum which they implement as part of physical education classes.
The local Chapter of the national non-profit youth development organization has served the community since its inception in 1999 and celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. It has become a leading program in the Greater Washington Area having reached more than two million young people during this time with its on-course and in-school golf and life skills experience programming.
“We’re very proud of our 25 years serving the community and how we’ve been able to positively impact the lives of young people in our program. Our vision is that all youth in Greater Washington, DC have the opportunity to build their strength of character through the game of golf,” said Sanchez.
About First Tee-Greater Washington, DC
First Tee-Greater Washington, DC is one of 150 First Tee chapters across the U.S. and select international locations. In 2024, the chapter celebrated its 25th anniversary. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. First Tee-Greater Washington, DC impacts more than 200,000 young people each year through programs delivered at 23 program locations, 300 schools and 30 community partners throughout Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, MD and Prince George’s County, MD. Learn more at firstteedc.org.
About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”)
First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR. Its mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. In 2022, First Tee celebrated its 25th anniversary and has reached millions of youth through its network of 150 chapters, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair. Learn more at firsttee.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Palmer Moody
Sr. Director of Communications and Advancement
First Tee-Greater Washington DC
847.804.2721 mobile