Outback Bowl Names New Chairman, Officers for 2007-08

The Board of Directors of the Outback Bowl announced the election of its Chairman and officers for the 2007-2008 year. Bernie O’Brien, owner of O'Brien's Irish Pubs for 17 years, has been elected to the post of Chairman, for a one year term, of the popular New Year’s Day college bowl game located in Tampa.

O’Brien has been a supporter of the bowl for ten years and has served on the board of directors since 2000. He is also a former chairman of the bowls Team Selection Committee.

“It has been my pleasure to serve as a bowl member since 1997,” states O’Brien. “I am proud to have the opportunity to represent such a reputable organization and look forward to helping the bowl continue its success in serving the Tampa Bay area.”

Additional officers elected by the board for the 2007-08 bowl include:, Mike Sugar, President and Founder of Forcon International Corp.as Vice Chairman; Gwen Mitchell, Managing Partner- North Florida Practice, Deloitte, as Vice Chair of Hillsborough County; Kevin Smith, Director of the St Petersburg / Clearwater Sports Commission, as Vice Chair of Pinellas County; Dale Dignum, Executive V.P., First National Bank, as Secretary; and Ken Hoverman, Chief Marketing Officer, United HealthCare Florida, as Treasurer.