Recipients of the NFL Alumni/Youth United for Prosperity
2010 “Difference Maker” Awards

Mr. Ralph Stokes
Director of Corporate Affairs
, PGA Superstore

A college football career coached by the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant provided Ralph Stokes with a fundamental drive for excellence. More than 30 years ago, Ralph began his business career as a Group Sales Representative for Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company in Chattanooga, Tennessee. During his career, he acquired the industry’s highest professional designations, including CLU, FLMI, MHP and HIAA.

Ralph’s natural leadership skills, training and talent allowed him to weather the storm of acquisitions characteristic of the industry in the late 90’s. He has served as Regional Sales Manager for Provident Life and Accident, Director of Sales and Marketing for Healthsource, Inc., and most recently, Senior Vice President of Sales for CIGNA HealthCare of Georgia.

With a successful track record as an exceptional sales and marketing strategist, Ralph founded Stokes Consulting, Inc., a sales consulting and procurement agency. During the growth of the consulting business, he served as Director of Business Development for Chesapeake Consulting, a process management and leadership development firm based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Ralph currently serves as Director of Corporate Sales for Golf and Tennis Pro Shop PGA Tour SuperStores, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ralph received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Alabama in 1975 and is a lifetime member of the University’s “A” Club. His community involvement includes his service as Director on a number of Boards, including Special Olympics Georgia, the Board of Visitors for the University Of Alabama School Of Commerce and Business, the Atlanta Public Golf Conservancy, Inc., the Atlanta Country Club, the AT&T Classic Foundation. Ralph previously served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and as a Volunteer Trainer at MUST Ministries homeless shelter. He is a member of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church in Marietta. He and his wife, Debra, have two daughters and two grand daughters. He is an avid golfer with a single digit handicap.