McManamon joins THE PLAYERS leadership team as vice-chair

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Michele McManamon, co-owner and operator of Sandler Training in Jacksonville, Fla., is the newly appointed "Blue Coat" for THE PLAYERS Championship, meaning she is one of five vice-chairs who, with the Tournament Chairman, lead the 2,000-plus volunteer force of the event. Dating back to the Greater Jacksonville Open, which began in 1965, McManamon is the third woman to be selected as part of the event's volunteer leadership, following in the footsteps of Anne P. Nimnicht (Tournament Chairman in 1997) and Theresa Greene-Hazel (Tournament Chairman in 1999).

The volunteer leadership for THE PLAYERS 2011 includes: Tournament Chairman Jim Fuller; First Vice Chairman Curtis Hazel; and Vice Chairs Andy Baggs, Robert Davis, Brian Franco and McManamon.

"On behalf of the Blue Coats, I want to congratulate and welcome Michele to the team," said Fuller. "She's served THE PLAYERS Championship and this community for many years now, and her talents, passion and commitment will be tremendous assets as we strive to make each PLAYERS better than the last and, in turn, raise more money for local charities. Michele knows first-hand all of the hard work and long hours it takes to stage an event of this magnitude, and she is up for the task and will be a great addition to our team."

A new Blue Coat is named each year as the most recent Tournament Chairman joins the prestigious "Red Coats," past tournament chairmen of THE PLAYERS who continue to support the event through corporate sales, volunteering each year for THE PLAYERS and continued support of area charities. Blue Coats are nominated and approved by the Red Coats.

"I'm so thrilled to be the newest member of the Blue Coats," said McManamon. "THE PLAYERS Championship has been a huge part of my life since we relocated to Jacksonville in 1996. The volunteers behind the event are so dedicated to this community, and it's a pleasure to be involved in an effort -- a world-class sporting event -- that makes such an impact here locally. I look forward to working with Tournament Chairman Jim Fuller on the 2011 event, as well as the rest of the vice-chairs over the next six years to continue the success of THE PLAYERS. I'm also hopeful that I can encourage more businesses in the Jacksonville area to be a part of this tournament and realize the immense difference they can make, and fun they can have, through THE PLAYERS."

McManamon's service to THE PLAYERS includes a variety of committee leadership positions. In 2005, she served as assistant chair of the Corporate Hospitality Committee (2005-06). In 2007, she was selected to chair a new committee at THE PLAYERS, the Practice Round Markers Committee (2007-08). In addition to serving as chair of the Benefactor Hospitality Committee in 2009, she was again the leader of a new committee that year, heading up "Mission: IMPACT."

At this year's PLAYERS, McManamon served as committee chair for the Volunteer Shuttles and assistant chair of Mission: IMPACT.

McManamon and her husband, Pat, founded Sandler Training 11 years ago. Sandler Training is a sales and management-training development company that drives sales effectiveness and efficiency with companies by improving skills, strategy and structure. The organization has more than 225 offices around the world.

McManamon was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year in 1999 by the Jacksonville Jaycees and was a finalist for Woman Business Owner of the Year in 2002.

A mother of two, McManamon is the Vice President of the South Council Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, a Trustee member of the Chamber, a Captain for the UnCampaign program and an upcoming 2011 member of Leadership Jacksonville. Her children are John (18) and Stephanie (17). John recently graduated from Ponte Vedra High School and will attend UNF in the fall. Stephanie will be a senior at Ponte Vedra High School.