Birdies for Charity Director to Retire
John Deere Classic Staff is Reorganized
The John Deere Classic today officially announced the retirement of its longtime Birdies for Charity Director Kristy Ketcham Jackson, who will be succeeded by current Manager of Enterprise and Charity Support, Micaela Booth. Ketcham Jackson’s final day is October 29.
The tournament simultaneously announced a full staff reorganization in which longtime Tournament Director Clair Peterson will move up to Executive Director and current Assistant Tournament Director Andrew Lehman will become Tournament Director, reporting to Peterson.
“Kristy Ketcham Jackson has brought spirit, leadership and executive efficiency to the Birdies for Charity program, which has grown 12-fold under her guidance,” Peterson said. “The John Deere Classic and the Quad Cities community are blessed to have had Kristy heading the area’s largest charitable institution and we wish her well in her retirement.”
When Ketcham Jackson took over the Birdies program in 2003, the charitable arm of the John Deere Classic raised less than $1 million a year. As she leaves her position, the program has consistently raised more each year since she began, topping more than $12 million a year since 2018.
Booth joined the tournament staff in 2017 as Office Administrator but added the responsibilities of Charity Support two years ago and has been working closely with Ketcham Jackson since 2019.
A native of Carroll, Iowa, Lehman joined the John Deere Classic in 2006 as an intern. The Iowa State graduate became Assistant Tournament Director in 2010 and took over all tournament operations in 2016.
Also promoted in the new organizational structure are Ashley Hansen to Assistant Tournament Director, Jennifer Kress to Director of Sales and Development, and Marshal Lamb to Manager, Tournament Operations.
“The people who have been put in place under the new organizational structure not only are excellent and highly experienced in their jobs, they also are high-character individuals who we’re confident will be outstanding representatives of the tournament and of our title sponsor, John Deere.” said Peterson.
Lucas Glover won the 2021 John Deere Classic with a 19-under par total and is expected to defend his title June 27-July 3 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
The John Deere Classic, which includes Birdies for Charity, is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization located in the John Deere Classic tournament offices at 15623 Coaltown Road, East Moline, Illinois. Since its founding in 1971, the tournament has helped raise more than $133 million for charity.