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SUN BOWL ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES BILL COON AS 2017-18 BOARD PRESIDENT April 28, 2017

EL PASO, Texas – The Sun Bowl Association and Executive Director Bernie Olivas announced on Friday, April 28 that Bill Coon is its 84th President for the 2017-18 year.

As president, Coon will be the spokesman for the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors, as well as the general supervisor of the various association committees and activities.

“Bill’s vast experience with not-for-profit organizations is a huge benefit for the Sun Bowl Association,” Olivas said. “His knowledge and enthusiasm for all Sun Bowl events makes him a great fit to lead our Board of Directors. We are all looking forward to a great year with Bill at the helm.”

Coon is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of EL Paso. He oversees the Y’s overall mission to nurture youth development, promote healthy living and foster social responsibility. Coon has over 20 years of experience working for the YMCA, serving as the Executive Director for multiple YMCA facilities in El Paso. He has served as Chief Professional Officer for the Boys & Girls Club of America as well as the Vice President of Goodwill El Paso.

Coon will oversee the Association’s continued commitment to El Paso through various events, including the 84th Hyundai Sun Bowl on December 29, 2017. The Sun Bowl Association takes the lead to put on a variety of community events, college and youth sports programs, including the Academy Sports + Outdoors Sun Bowl International Soccer Tournament, the Sun Bowl Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic and the WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational.

Coon has been heavily involved with the Sun Bowl Association since 2010-11 serving on the Board of Advisors and soon after was selected to join the Sun Bowl Association Board of Directors. In 2014 he was selected as the Vice President of Volunteers managing the Fan Fiesta. He was also the 5K Chairman when the event was active. Coon has also been in charge of overseeing the First Light Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade’s equestrian unit’s safety and coordinating the overall set-up and break-down on game day of the Sun Bowl.

Coon has also assisted in the Academy Sports + Outdoors Sun Bowl International Soccer Tournament for three years as the Field Marshall Coordinator, supervising volunteer teams toward successful trash pick-up. He was elected the Executive Vice-President of the Sun Bowl Association in 2015 and designated as President-Elect in 2016.

“It is an honor to serve along with some of El Paso greatest volunteers and staff. Being President of the second oldest bowl game is beyond my wildest dreams,” said Coon. “The Sun Bowl is responsible for the city’s largest event, our parade. We bring world-class talent to El Paso through our golf tournament, basketball tournament and of course the football game. We recognize our local talent through Punt, Pass and Kick, the soccer tournament, our Sun Court, cheerleading clinics and basketball clinics. What a great organization to be part of.”

Coon and his wife, Janette, have been married for 20 years and have an 18-year-old son, Jacob and a 33-year old daughter Jacqie Bustamante.

Joining the 84th president of the association on the Board of Directors are Scott Mann (President-Elect), Stuart Silva (Executive Vice President), Steve Beltran (Immediate Past President), Jimmy Rogers, Jr. (Chair Emeritus), Natalia Flores (Secretary), John Aranda (Treasurer), Bryan Crowe (VP Community Relations), Robert Dunlop (VP Marketing), Scott Mann (VP Legal Affairs), Wayne Thornton (VP Public Relations), Tamara Gladkowski (VP Volunteers), Barry Kobren (Basketball Chairman), Asher Feinberg (CBS Host Chairman), Linda Smith (Coronation Chair), John Folmer (Football Chairman), Mark Pelletier (Golf Chairman), Jim Lawrence (Parade Chairman), Art Muñoz (VP Special Events), Allen Rystad (Provisions Chairman), Ernest Eisenberg (Board Member), Travis Hughes (Board Member), Michelle Kaip (Board Member), Richard Limas (Board Member), Michael Guerra (Board Member), Mary Kipp (Board Member), Victor Rueda (Board Member), Victor Salazar (Board Member), James O. Stewart III (Board Member) and Tony Valtier (Board Member).

The 2017 Sun Bowl Association Board of Advisors is made up of past presidents Amen Ayoub, Frank Bates, Walker Crowson, Linda East, Chris Mott, Marilyn Munden, Joe Valenzuela, along with members Joana Alferez, Joseph Bocanegra, Ruben Batista, Gil Blancas, Casandra Davisson, Richard Dayoub, Greg DiDonna, Celia Dubrule, Veronica Escobar, David Forti, Frank Hernandez, Brian Kennedy, Tommy Lewis, David Lindhuber, David Morales, Leila Melendez, Cindy Ramos Davidson, Terri Rangel, Jimmy Rogers III, Mike Rogers, Jeff Stevens, Bob Stull, Eric Swanson, Brad Taylor, Brooke Underwood, Pat Valdez-Rios, Charles Vass, Mario Vega and Rebekah Wierson.