Gregg Matalas

Gregg Matalas – Marketing & Communications Leader

Gregg Matalas is a seasoned marketing and communications executive with over 20 years of leadership experience across sports, higher education, and private club management. Known for his strategic thinking and ability to build meaningful relationships, Gregg has consistently elevated brand presence, driven member engagement, and led multimillion-dollar initiatives throughout his career.

Early Career

Gregg began his career in professional sports with public relations internships for the New York Rangers and the Western Professional Hockey League, developing his expertise in media relations and storytelling. He later joined the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA)—his grandfather Charles’s alma mater—as Assistant Director of Athletic Communications, quickly becoming an instrumental figure in the Academy’s athletic and alumni outreach.

Leadership in Higher Education

From 2000 to 2002, Gregg served as Director of Athletic Communications at Lebanon Valley College, where he led all media, marketing, and public affairs for the athletic department. In 2003, he returned to the USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation (AAF) as Director of the Blue & Gray Golf Classics, transforming a modest alumni golf event into a nationwide, 12-city fundraising tour involving over 1,500 participants annually.

He was later promoted to Director of Marketing and Development for the USMMA AAF, where he oversaw brand campaigns, donor engagement, event strategy, and communications—building lasting partnerships with maritime leaders and stakeholders.

Current Role at Woodland Hills Country Club

Since 2021, Gregg has served as Director of Membership at Woodland Hills Country Club in Los Angeles, where he leads membership growth, retention, marketing, and sales for one of the oldest private clubs in Southern California. Through member-focused innovation and data-driven campaigns, Gregg helped reverse pandemic-era membership losses and introduced a new generation of members to the 100-year-old club.

Education

Gregg holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a master’s degree in Media Management from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Honors & Recognition

Throughout his career, Gregg has received multiple honors for his service and impact, including the ECAC Certificate of Appreciation in 2010 and the Mark J. Paradiso Service Award in 2012, recognizing his exceptional dedication to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and its alumni community.