When the new chief operating officer for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America arrives in Lawrence, he’ll certainly be familiar with his new boss.

J. Rhett Evans, who starts July 9, comes to the post after serving since 2005 as director of the parks, recreation and commercial facilities division for the city of Mesa, Ariz.

That’s the job he’d assumed upon the departure of Mark Woodward, who left in 2005 to become golf operations manager for the city of San Diego.

Now that Woodward is CEO of the Lawrence-based superintendents association — a job he started following last year’s U.S. Open — a familiar face will be coming in as his No. 2 executive.

“I witnessed his talents first-hand working with him in Mesa and have always been impressed with how he goes about his work,” said Woodward, who worked for 31 years in the Phoenix suburb, including the last four with Evans as a colleague. “He is great in developing relationships, and his business acumen is sharp. He will be a great fit with our team and our members.”

In Lawrence, Evans’ responsibilities will include planning and directing policies, objectives and strategic initiatives, all with an eye toward ensuring sustained growth for the organization that supports professionals in golf course maintenance and management.

The association hasn’t had a COO since Julian Arredondo left in 2005.

In Mesa, Evans worked with an annual operating budget of $32.5 million and managed a staff of more than 700.

His division operated a convention center and amphitheater, a spring training baseball complex used by the Chicago Cubs, a cemetery, two golf courses, various recreation and aquatic complexes and 2,600 acres of park space.

Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, 1421 Research Park Drive, provides education, information and representation to more than 20,000 members in more than 72 countries. It has 108 employees.