Alexandria, VA, May 30, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TEAM Coalition welcomed a new slate of officers, each to serve two-year terms, at the membership meeting held on May 22, 2014 in St. Louis, MO at the offices of Anheuser-Busch. John McHale, Executive Vice President, Administration & Chief Information Officer of Major League Baseball (MLB), completed his term as Chairman. Kevin Bruder, President of Centennial Management Group, General Manager of the Maverik Center and CEO of the Utah Grizzlies Hockey Club was announced as Chairman of the Board. Bruder represents the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) on the Coalition. Ray Whitworth, Vice President of Operations and Security for Major League Soccer (MLS), will serve as Vice Chairman, Carl Mittleman, President of Aramark Sports and Entertainment, will serve as Second Vice Chairman and Treasurer. Finally, Jordan Jiloty, Director of Public Affairs for NASCAR was elected as Third Vice Chairman and Secretary.
The TEAM Coalition Board of Directors includes the four officers, three committee chairmen and one Director at Large. Dennis Wharton, Executive Vice President of Media Relations for the National Association of Broadcasters was elected to serve another term as the Chairman of the Marketing Committee. John Huff, General Manager for Connecticut and Upstate New York with Live Nation, serves as the Training Committee Chairman. The new President of Beer Institute, James A. McGreevy III, will head the Membership and Finance Committee. Russ Simons, Managing Partner of Venue Solutions Group, serves as Director at Large.
TEAM Coalition is a twenty-one member association whose mission is to enhance the entertainment experience, provide effective alcohol management training in public assembly facilities and promote responsible alcohol consumption through the use of positive messages that reward responsible behavior and help to reduce negative alcohol-related incidents both in facilities and on surrounding roadways,
Outgoing TEAM Chairman, McHale said, "I am pleased to have served in the leadership position for the TEAM Coalition Board of Directors. TEAM Coalition has been a long-standing partner with Major League Baseball, helping our Clubs provide the best possible fan experience in our ballparks. TEAM Coalition helps MLB fulfill its commitment to being a social institution through programs that promote drinking responsibly and providing training for our Clubs."
As the new Chairman of the TEAM Coalition board, Bruder said, "TEAM Coalition has been very successful reaching the major league sports venues with our responsibility messages and alcohol management training. I look forward to expanding the reach of the Coalition to other facilities while continuing the great relationship with all the member organizations. IAVM members like the Maverik Center have a great deal to gain from becoming more involved with TEAM Coalition. I am committed to help make that happen."
In response to being elected Secretary and Third Vice Chairman for TEAM Coalition, Jordan Jiloty said, "I am honored to have been elected to the Board of Director's for the TEAM Coalition and will proudly represent NASCAR in this role. NASCAR is committed to promoting responsible consumption at all of our races throughout the country. We want our fans to have a great time watching the best racing in the world and get home safe afterwards."
The newly re-elected Marketing Committee Chairman, Wharton said, "The National Association of Broadcasters values its long-standing partnership with TEAM Coalition. Through public awareness materials created by TEAM Coalition, America's broadcasters are able to help create a safe and family-friendly environment at sporting and entertainment facilities in their local communities."
In making the announcement, TEAM Executive Director Jill Pepper said, "The success of TEAM Coalition depends on the commitment of our member organizations. Without their support, we would not be able to achieve the accomplishments we have enjoyed of more than 50,000 facility personnel TEAM-certified annually and 972,000 sports and entertainment fans pledging to be designated drivers last year alone. I know our new officers will challenge the organization to find new and creative ways to reach a larger audience with our responsibility message."
TEAM Coalition's members and supporters include Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Hockey League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Aramark, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Ovations Food Services, Beer Institute, National Beer Wholesalers Association, Anheuser-Busch, MillerCoors, Brown-Forman, Live Nation, National Association of Broadcasters, Contemporary Services Corporation, Elite, International Association of Venue Managers, Stadium Managers Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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Visit TEAM Coalition on the web at http://www.teamcoalition.org/ .
A photo accompanying this release is available at:
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=25655
Jill Pepper, TEAM Coalition, (703) 647-7431
