SCOTTSDALE, AZ – The Fiesta Bowl Organization has elevated
Nick Smith to its
Board of Directors, after serving as Yellow Jacket Committee Chair during the Fiesta Bowl's 50
th Anniversary season in 2020-21.
Smith joins the organization's highest level of volunteer leadership after serving on the Fiesta Bowl Yellow Jacket Committee since 2012. He quickly made an impact when he earned Rookie of the Year honors, then served multiple seasons as Media Operations Chair and Chair of the Aerospace Challenge committee, up to Chair-Elect and Yellow Jacket Committee Chair. In addition to leadership roles as Engagement Commissioner and Sales Commissioner, he served as a two-time Team Liaison for the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl.
As a nonprofit organization, the Fiesta Bowl is administered by the Board of Directors, which provides management oversight, strategic direction and governance for the organization.
"
Nick Smith has been an exemplary member of the Fiesta Bowl family as a Yellow Jacket since he joined in 2012," said
Patrick Barkley, Chair of the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors. "Nick was the perfect leader to guide our Yellow Jacket Committee through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that his contributions will continue to bring value as a member of the Board of Directors."
A four-year letter winner at linebacker for Notre Dame, Smith helped the Irish to a 41-8 record from 1989-92. His teams finished ranked in the top four twice under legendary Head Coach Lou Holtz.
"I love volunteering and being a part of the Fiesta Bowl. I am fortunate and blessed to be asked to serve first as Chair of the Yellow Jacket Committee and now on the Board of Directors, for an organization whose primary commitment is to have a positive impact in the very community I live and serve," Smith said. "My personal philosophy is to use the power of enthusiasm combined with the desire to succeed in order to achieve my life goals and to inspire others to pursue theirs."
When Smith isn't serving the Fiesta Bowl, he serves on the executive team at National PEO, a human resources company owned by Vensure Employer Services. He first entered that industry in 2009, was elevated to become President of HR Betty in 2012 and joined the executive team of National PEO as Executive Vice President in 2014. He originally came to Arizona in 1993, when he and Irish teammate Irv Smith opened a series of Smoothie King franchise locations.
Through the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and events such as the Fiesta Bowl Parade, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, Fiesta Bowl Charities has granted $16 million in charitable giving the last five years alone and $21 million to the Arizona community in the last 10 years.
ABOUT FIESTA BOWL
Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Fiesta Bowl Parade, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education. Learn more at
www.FiestaBowl.org and
@Fiesta_Bowl on Twitter.
On the Web:
www.FiestaBowl.org
Social Media: @Fiesta_Bowl
Media Contacts:
Scott Leightman (
sleightman@fiestabowl.org; 480.517.6291);
Alex Nash (
anash@fiestabowl.org; 480.350.0925)
