Depending upon the club, I believe that there needs to be a chair for the historian, as he is usually uniquely qualified to discuss the implications of any changes in the context of the original design intent.
Unless he is a power-mad cement head like the one we have - but people of that ilk are the exception. Usually the Historian cares deeply about the club, and is a valuable resource that can help prevent a golf course from wandering far afield of its spiritual purity.
We've chased Sambo around the Treehouse - and turned to butter - umpteen times debating the qualifications necessary to be an effective Green Chairman.
Until the last ten years or so, at my club the Chairman (and much of the committee) were either delusional wannabe Mackenzies or recycled Board Members who could not seem to get a life - and needed a position of authority to give validity to their lives.
Once we had a run of bright guys - two of whom regularly contribute to the website, everything quickly fell into place.
Mike, to answer your question, the Chairman must know how to read lots of books on the subject, be willing to listen carefully, find the right architect and be decisive regardless of the squawk and whining from the corner bar stool.
I've long believed that nobody ought to be appointed to any Green Committee until they have read and fully digested the following:
The Links (Hunter)
Golf Architecture in America (Thomas)
The Anatomy of a Golf Course (Doak)
I guess we need to put Hurdzen's book in there and certainly "The Evangelist," but that sounds self-serving.
Otherwise, appointing an egotistical know-nothing to turn the dials on a classic golf course is a bit like giving a monkey a loaded gun.