Lisa Ryan ’84 and Eric Bechtel to Receive Havemeyer Presidential Leadership Award

(MAHWAH, NJ) -- The Ramapo College Foundation will hold its 36th Annual Golf Outing at the Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, N.J., on Thursday, September 14, 2023.  Proceeds from the event provide student scholarships, fund faculty-student research, and support special programs on campus. Century 21 Construction and the Anthony J. Marino family, serve as lead sponsors of the event.

Lisa Ryan ‘84 and Eric Bechtel will receive the Havemeyer Presidential Leadership Award at this year’s outing. The award is given to individuals who offer their expertise and whose contributions touch the lives of students, faculty and staff at Ramapo College. It is named for Theodore Havemeyer, an American businessman who was the first president of the U.S. Golf Association in 1894. Mr. Havemeyer lived on an estate in Mahwah, which is now owned by Ramapo College.

Lisa Ryan joined the Board of Governors in 2013 and serves on the executive committee of the Ramapo College Foundation as vice president and is a member of the Alumni Association.  She is co-chair of the Athletics Hall of Fame committee. She has received the Distinguished Alumnus Award five times from the Ramapo College Athletics Department. In addition, she was awarded the 2014 Mission Award from the Ramapo College Foundation for her longstanding commitment to enhancing the educational experience for every Ramapo College student. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts from Ramapo College in 1984. Lisa has been an active committee member of the Ramapo College Foundation Distinguished Citizens Gala and Annual Golf Outing.  She continues to serve as auction chair for both committees.  Her philanthropy includes donations to the Learning Commons capital campaign and the 50th Anniversary fundraising campaign.

Eric Bechtel is founder and president of IdeaQuest, LLC, a sports, entertainment, technology and commerce marketing consulting firm in Ramsey, New Jersey. With over 30 years of experience, Eric has assisted Fortune 500 brands, professional athletes, entertainers, broadcast talent, media companies and league and team properties to successfully navigate their collaborations. He has partnered with some of the world’s most respected brands and clients to secure naming right deals, property sponsorships and endorsements. He has worked with professional athletes including: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rory McEllroy, Steve Young, Shaquille O’Neal and Derek Jeter. Prior to IdeaQuest, Eric joined Integrated Sports International and successfully sold stadium naming rights to 3Com Park for the San Francisco 49ers, Ericsson Stadium for the Carolina Panthers, and Xfinity Center for the University of Maryland. Eric graduated from the University of Connecticut where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science and was a member of the football team. He received a Master of Sports Administration from Ohio University. He joined the Ramapo College Foundation Golf Committee in 2003. He is the father of three adult children and resides in New Jersey.

The cost for the outing is $650 per golfer/$2,600 per foursome. Sponsorships are available. To register and for more information, please visit ramapo.edu/golf-outing or contact Liz Kloak at lkloak@ramapo.edu or call 201-684-6834.