WASHINGTON, May 22, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Washington, DC (May 22, 2012) - TEAM Coalition, 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, welcomed a new slate of officers, each to serve two-year terms. John McHale, Executive Vice President, Administration & Chief Information Officer of Major League Baseball (MLB), was announced as Chairman of the Board. Vicki Hawarden, President and CEO of International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), will serve as Vice Chairman. Evan Dabby, Senior Director, Supporter Relations & Safety with Major League Soccer (MLS), will serve as 2nd Vice Chairman and Treasurer. And Carl Mittleman, Regional Vice President for ARAMARK's Sports and Entertainment division in the Central Region, was elected as 3rd Vice Chairman and Secretary.
The TEAM Coalition Board of Directors includes the four officers and three committee chairmen. John Huff, General Manager for Connecticut and Upstate New York with Live Nation, was elected as the Training Committee Chairman at the meeting. Joe McClain, President of Beer Institute, heads the Membership and Finance Committee. Dennis Wharton, Executive Vice President of Media Relations for the National Association of Broadcasters is the Chairman of the Marketing Committee.
New to the Board of Directors is Russ Simons
Outgoing TEAM Chairman, Marc Bruno, President, ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment, said, "As a founding member of TEAM Coalition, ARAMARK understands the importance of working closely with our clients and partners to ensure that fans have a great experience, an important part of which is the responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages. With the induction of Carl as 3rd Vice Chairman and Secretary, we remain fully committed to TEAM Coalition, and to those we serve."
As the new Chairman of the TEAM Coalition board, McHale said, "I am pleased to move into 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."
In response to being elected Secretary and 3rd Vice Chairman for TEAM Coalition, Carl Mittleman said, "I am honored to have been elected to the Board of Director's for the TEAM Coalition and will proudly represent ARAMARK in this role. As an active member of the coalition for the past 15 years, including many as a Master Trainer, I look forward to serving our dedicated member organizations and working with our board of directors to build upon the solid foundation developed under Marc's leadership."
The newly-elected Training Committee Chairman, John Huff said, "TEAM coalition plays an important role in the Sports and Entertainment facility industry by providing the highest level of employee training as well as guest education on the importance of effective alcohol management and responsible fan behavior. Through promoting the fan code of conduct and a far reaching designated-driver program, TEAM helps enhance the guest experience at live music events. I am extremely proud to be associated with TEAM Coalition and all of the member organizations and strategic partners. My hope as Training Committee Chairperson is to continue to involve more Live Nation Venues in TEAM training and designated driver programs in order to reach more fans with this life-saving message, keeping the roads safer for everyone."
Director at Large, Russ Simons said, "the work of TEAM coalition and the tangible results to our industry and fans cannot be overstated. As someone who has directed a variety of public assembly facilities and now focuses every day on how facilities operate including guest experience, safety and security and the relationships with business partners, I feel that the continued leadership of TEAM Coalition has never been more important to our business. I am honored to be elected as the first Director at Large and commit my full effort to making a positive contribution."
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 40,000 facility personnel TEAM-certified annually and three-quarters of a million 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's members and supporters include Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, the National Hockey League, the 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 Show Services, International Association of Venue Managers, Stadium Managers Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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