The First Tee of Northwest Arkansas appoints new executive director

Although he’s playing the back nine of his professional career, Randy Hurban says it’s not too late to try something new.

Hurban, 58, is transferring his 33 years of business experience to the nonprofit world. Last month he was announced as the new executive director for The First Tee of Northwest Arkansas in Lowell. He is replacing Elizabeth Prenger, who has accepted a job as strategic gifts officer for The Jones Trust in Springdale.

Hurban has a broad range of experience and held executive leadership positions for Georgia Pacific, Johnson & Johnson and Novartis. He was most recently CEO of Moxy Ox, a printing business in Springdale. He was part of an investment group that bought the company in November 2012. Hurban says he is still a co-owner and partner at Moxy Ox, now led by president and chief operating officer Matt Huber. The company now has eight employees.

The First Tee is a national youth development organization that introduces kids to the game of golf and its inherent values. The Lowell affiliate has seven full-time employees and between 15 and 20 part-time workers.

“[Hurban’s] passion for young people and The First Tee came through during the interview process,” said Scott Bolle, chairman of The First Tee of Northwest Arkansas hiring committee. “We quickly felt comfortable with Randy and his ability to lead the organization into the future. Because of that, we were able to move fast and plan for a seamless transition.”