Golden began his association career as an editor with the Association of Telemessaging Services International, and since then, he has served in various association leadership roles for the last 35 years. Prior to his time at the NSPE, he served as Executive Director and CEO of the National Court Reporters Association from 1998-2012, as Vice President of Government Relations and Senior Vice President of Industry Affairs at the Personal Communications Industry Association from 1991-1998, and as Vice President of the Association of Telemessaging Services International from 1985-1991.
Golden holds a bachelor of arts in drama and English language and literature from the University of Virginia, and he is a Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives as well as a Certified Association Executive.