Tickets for Fiesta Bowl

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, April 9, 2013   CONTACT: Kristen Pflipsen 480-350-0909   Scottsdale, Ariz. – Fiesta Bowl Chairman of the Board Brian Hall announced today that Kelly Mero has been named Fiesta Bowl Committee Chairman for the 2013-14 season. Mero will oversee the Committee’s activities in coordinating fundraising, member participation, volunteer outreach, charitable involvement and event planning for the Bowl.    “We are pleased to have Kelly’s dynamic leadership and enthusiasm guiding our Committee this year,” Hall said. “He has shown great dedication to the Fiesta Bowl and its community events since joining the organization.”   Mero joined the Fiesta Bowl Committee in 2005 and has held numerous leadership roles within the organization, including Committee sales commissioner and team liaison. In 2008, he was chair of the Million Dollar Hole-in-One. Mero also has served on game operations for the past eight years.   “I cannot begin to say how fired-up I am for this upcoming season and my leadership team,” said Mero. “I have put together a solid group of committee leaders who have accepted their new role as my leadership group,” Mero said. “My team and I have been strategizing and have some great plans for this upcoming season.”   Mero’s leadership team is comprised of the following Committee members:   Sales Commissioners: Bob Whitehouse – Chair: U.S. Air Force Reserves Joel Johnson – Co-Chair: FirstBank of Arizona Jeff Smith – Co-Chair: Wells Fargo Bank   Engagement Commissioners: Randy Norton – Chair: Deloitte Consulting  Frank Divers – Co-Chair: Business Development Specialist, Inc.  George Hostal – Co-Chair: First Western Trust Bank   Life Member Commissioners:  Dan Laux – Chair: Driver Advisors Andrew Monaghan – Co-Chair: The Monaghan Group Andrew Carey – Co-Chair: ASU (President’s Club)   New Member Commissioners: Tim Brown – Chair: Donor Network of Arizona Peter Eberle – Co-Chair: Bank of America Andy Shultz – Co-Chair: J. P. Morgan Chase   The Fiesta Bowl Committee is a team of passionate community leaders that supports the mission of the bowl organization and its positive impact in the Valley. Through elite bowl games and related events, the Fiesta Bowl serves as welcoming hosts, creates lifelong memories, promotes Arizona and enables meaningful contributions to society. Fiesta Bowl Committee members work alongside the Bowl’s Board of Directors, staff, sponsors and volunteers to continue providing the traditional Fiesta Bowl experience.   Mero is a Tennessee native, but was raised in Phoenix. He attended Sunnyslope High School and is a graduate of Arizona State University. He is currently Director of Sales and Marketing at Arizona Highways Magazine. In addition to his involvement with the Fiesta Bowl Committee, Mero is a member of the Blue Blazer Squadron. Mero and his wife Cindy, live in Phoenix with their two daughters, Carson and Quin.   The Fiesta Bowl has added 14 members to the 2013 Committee class. The new members are:   Michael Bennett: Wells Fargo Bank Patrick Boyd: ProHousing Dave Dix: Long Realty Camelback Phillip Gordon: Swiss America Matt James: Alliance Bank of Arizona Daniel Johnson: Gannett Local Kelly Lenhart: Dibble Engineering Paul Miachika: Sun Commercial Real Estate Ed Nelson: Interline Brands Inc. Eric Olsen: Fasturtle Interactive Thaxton Peterson: Morgan Stanley Gianna Piccione: E. B. Lane Stephen Scardello: USI Insurance Services Casey Taggatz: Phoenix Suns   – 30 –

Thursday, April 4, 2013 Donald Robinson, Arizona Public Service President and Fiesta Bowl Board of Director has died at the age of 59.   “Don will be greatly missed and we are extremely grateful for his contributions to the Fiesta Bowl organization,” said Fiesta Bowl Chairman of the Board Brian Hall.  “He devoted more than 20 years to our organization as a volunteer, committee member and board of director.  He had a genuine passion to better his community and his kind-hearted nature and spirit touched all of those around him.  Our thoughts are with his family during this time.”   Robinson worked for APS for more than 34 years and was named President and Chief Operating Officer in 2009.   “Don was a true gentleman and a real friend,” said APS Chairman and CEO Don Brandt. “This is a tough day for everyone who knew and loved Don.”   Robinson joined the Fiesta Bowl as a volunteer in 1991 and held numerous leadership roles within the organization, most recently joining the Board of Directors four years ago. In 1999, Robinson served as Parade assistant chair, and joined the Fiesta Bowl Committee. He was appointed Parade Chair in 2000, where he was responsible for helping organize one of Arizona’s largest community events.   An Arizona native and graduate of Arizona State University, Robinson was well-known throughout the Valley, dedicating his time to various community organizations. Robinson was involved with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Valley of the Sun United Way, the Gompers Habilitation Center, Herberger Theater, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Phoenix Police Reserve Foundation.   He was honored with several awards for his community efforts including Scottsdale Leadership’s Corporate Leadership Award and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce’s Transformational Leader Award.   Robinson is survived by his wife, Chloe; his children, Vera and James; and two grandchildren.   Services will be held at 4 p.m. local time, Wednesday, April 10, at Bethany Bible Church, 6060 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85013. In lieu of flowers, the Robinson family is requesting the donations be made to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes or the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, April 3, 2013 CONTACT: Kristen Pflipsen 480-350-0909 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Fiesta Bowl has received a prestigious IMPACT Award from the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. The Fiesta Bowl was named the 2013 Economic Driver for Valley businesses with fewer than 250 employees. The organization was among eight local companies that received the 26th annual IMPACT Awards from the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (GPCC). Since 1988, the IMPACT Awards have celebrated the impact outstanding companies have on the Valley’s business community and economy. “This award recognizes the Fiesta Bowl’s long history of generating economic impact for Arizona,” Fiesta Bowl board chairman Brian Hall said. “That’s been a critical part of our mission for more than 40 years, and each of our 2,900 volunteers and staff has played a role. I thank the GPCC and congratulate the other IMPACT Award winners on their important contributions to the Valley economy.” The Fiesta Bowl organization, which operates the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl and more than 40 related statewide events, generated more than $1 billion in economic impact over a recent five-year span, according to an Arizona State University study. Amid one of the worst economies in the state’s history, the organization created $354.6 million in economic impact in the 2010-11 postseason, according to the ASU study. That figure included an estimated $188 million generated by the 2011 Tostitos BCS National Championship game, the most recent of the Fiesta Bowl’s seven national championship games. This year, the GPCC will recognize two recipients in each of four categories: Community Champion, Economic Driver, Entrepreneurial Excellence, and Response to Adversity. The 2013 IMPACT Businesses of the Year will be selected from these honorees and announced at a luncheon on May 14 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa.  The 2013 honorees: Small to Medium Business Category (250 employees or fewer): 2013 Community Champion:  UMOM New Day Centers 2013 Economic Driver:  Fiesta Bowl 2013 Entrepreneurial Excellence:  GlobalMed 2013 Response to Adversity:  Penrose Academy Large Business Category (More than 250 employees): 2013 Community Champion:  Arizona Diamondbacks 2013 Economic Driver:  Grand Canyon University 2013 Entrepreneurial Excellence:  Cancer Treatment Centers of America 2013 Response to Adversity:  Chas Roberts Air Conditioning “These companies represent what makes the Valley’s business community and our Chamber great. It’s a privilege to honor those who do the day-in, day-out work of boosting our economy and creating jobs,” said Todd Sanders, GPCC President and CEO. “There are many businesses in the Valley deserving of this honor, so we are proud to do our small part in recognizing their achievements and commitment to strengthening our community.” The 26th annual IMPACT Awards luncheon will take place Tuesday, May 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa. Tickets are $65 for GPCC members and $75 for non-members and tables of 10 are $750 for GPCC members and $850 for non-members (tables include priority seating and program recognition). For reservations please visit www.phoenixchamber.com/impact. -30-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, March 26, 2013 CONTACT: Kristen Pflipsen 480-350-0909 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Fiesta Bowl announced today that Brian Hall, Vice President of MTH Mortgage LLC, has been elected the 2013-14 Chairman of the Board.   Hall joined the Fiesta Bowl organization as a Committee member in 1986 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 1999. As Chairman of the Board, Hall will oversee the Fiesta Bowl organization, which operates the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl and more than 40 related statewide events.   “I am honored to serve as the Fiesta Bowl Chairman of the Board,” Hall said. “I look forward to working with the Fiesta Bowl board, committee, volunteers and staff as we move into a new era of college football. The format for the postseason is changing, but the Fiesta Bowl remains committed to fostering a culture of community involvement and giving.”   “Brian has been a key Fiesta Bowl volunteer for more than 25 years,” Fiesta Bowl Executive Director Robert Shelton said. “He has provided exemplary leadership in many important areas, from game operations to events and hospitality. Brian’s character and vision make him an ideal leader during a transitional period in the Bowl’s history.”   Hall has lent his talents to numerous Fiesta Bowl events, starting with the Million Dollar Hole-in-One in 1986. He earned the 1994 Chair of the Year Award for his work on a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. In the 1998-99 season, Hall chaired the Fiesta Bowl Committee, comprised of business and civic leaders who raise funds for the organization and provide event leadership.   Hall serves as the Vice President of MTH Mortgage LLC, a partnership of imortgage.com, Inc. and Meritage Homes Corporation, where he has executive management responsibilities for the joint venture.  Hall is accountable for all aspects of the national operation. In his 30-year career, Hall has served in corporate and executive leadership roles in commercial banks, mortgage banking companies and new home construction enterprises.   Hall graduated from the University of Missouri in 1983 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration, with emphasis in finance, marketing and general business studies. Hall resides in Phoenix with his wife and their two children.   Other officers on the Fiesta Bowl Executive Committee include: Chairman-Elect Andy McCain; Secretary Ann Damiano; Treasurer Mike Hecomovich; Immediate Past-Chair Steve Whiteman.   The Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors has also added the following members: Brett Benton, Vice President, Horizon Insurance Judy Bernas, Associate Vice President for External Relations at the University of Arizona Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, Executive Director for Arizona State University Gammage and Assistant Vice President for Cultural Affairs Robert Longo, Vice President and General Counsel-Western Areas for Waste Management Jay Parry, CEO of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee   – 30 –

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, March 21, 2013 CONTACT: Kristen Pflipsen 480-350-0909 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors has elected five new members. They join the volunteer board that guides the nonprofit Fiesta Bowl organization, comprised of four foundations. “This slate of new board members is a strong fit with the Fiesta Bowl organization,” board chairman Steve Whiteman said. “Their skill sets will help guide the Fiesta Bowl organization as it moves into a new era of postseason football. They are aligned with the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors’ efforts to sustain the highest level of public trust.” The new members are: Brett Benton: Vice President, Horizon Insurance; Current Committee Chair Benton is immediate past Fiesta Bowl Committee Chair. Benton joined the Fiesta Bowl Committee in 2004 and has held numerous leadership roles within the organization, including the Committee’s executive council last year. In addition to his involvement with the Fiesta Bowl Committee, Benton is the President of the Board of Directors of Waste Not, Inc. Judy Bernas: Associate Vice President, University of Arizona Bernas is the Associate Vice President, External Relations-Phoenix, for the University of Arizona and a Former Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority Chairperson. Bernas was recognized as a “Top 40 Under Forty” from Inside Tucson Business and the Phoenix Business Journal. Bernas received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and is completing her Master of Public Health at the University of Arizona. Colleen Jennings-Roggensack: Executive Director, Arizona State University Gammage Jennings-Roggensack has been the Executive Director for Arizona State University Gammage and Assistant Vice President for Cultural Affairs since 1992. In 2012, she was recognized by The Arizona Republic as one of the “People of the Era” from the State of Arizona. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts from Oakland University and her Master of Education from Colorado State University. Robert Longo: General Counsel, Waste Management Longo is the Vice President and General Counsel-Western Areas for Waste Management. He previously served as a Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Coach USA, was a partner in several law firms. Longo volunteers for the Scottsdale YMCA and is the Treasurer for the Adventure Guides Program. He received his Law Degree from St. Mary’s University and his undergraduate degree in Finance from Texas Christian University. Jay Parry: Chief Executive Officer, Super Bowl XLIX Host Committee Parry was recently appointed the CEO of the Super Bowl XLIX Host Committee. She previously served as the Senior Vice President of Brand and Business Development with the Phoenix Suns, where she oversaw ticket sales, marketing, public and community relations, and the Suns digital media efforts. Parry has served on the boards of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Downtown Phoenix Partnership-Marketing, and Phoenix Pride Commission. Meanwhile, Mark Vinciguerra and Bob Aylesworth were elected Life Directors when their board terms expired. For more information on Fiesta Bowl governance, please visit http://www.fiestabowl.org/about-us/governance.php. -30-