Chava McKeel has been with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America since December 1997. She currently serves as the Director, Government Affairs. From 1997 to 1999, she was the Communications Coordinator for the association. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Geography from the University of Kansas. In college, she interned in the Kansas State Senate and got to see first hand how state legislatures function. She is currently a member of the Kansas Society of Association Executives and the American Society of Association Executives. She has been awarded the Professional Lobbying Certificate from the Association of Government Relations Professionals. As part of her job responsibilities, Chava directs all activities of the Government Affairs Department at GCSAA. She helps advance the overall image of the golf course management industry through advocacy-related programs. She provides regulatory compliance information to GCSAA members to establish themselves as experts on managing risk at the facility. She serves as a liaison with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and collaborates regularly with the Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment, Essential Worker Immigration Coalition, Waters Advocacy Coalition, United States Department of Agriculture, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Alliance for Accessible Golf and many other organizations to advance golf’s interests.