The San Diego Bowl Game Association’s board of directors has elected Doug Sawyer president of the 2006 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl and San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. He succeeds Stephen P. Cushman, who moves up to chairman of the board.

“This is an exciting year for the bowl effort,” Sawyer said. “With the support of hundreds of volunteers, we endeavor to maintain the Holiday Bowl’s impeccable legacy, and build upon the successes of last year’s inaugural Poinsettia Bowl game. It’s truly an honor to serve as president of a non-profit organization that does so much for the San Diego region.”

The mission of the two bowl games is to create tourism, exposure, economic benefit and civic pride for San Diego and its citizens by producing the nation’s most exciting bowl games and festivals of events.

The 2005 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl pitted the 5th-ranked Oregon Ducks against the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners defeated the Ducks 17-14 before 65,416 fans at Qualcomm Stadium and a national television audience via ESPN. The San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl saw the Navy Midshipmen top the Colorado State Rams 51-30 before 36,842 spectators. The Poinsettia Bowl was televised on ESPN2.

Mr. Sawyer currently is the chief executive officer of United Way of San Diego. He also sits on the boards of seven non-profit organizations, including the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, of which he is a past board chairman. Additionally, he has served in leadership roles at the Red Cross, LEAD San Diego, Children’s Hospital Foundation, San Diego Opera and the Globe Theatre.

He attended Kearny High School and San Diego State University. He also attended the University of Virginia’s Graduate School of Retail Banking.

Doug and his wife, Marilyn, reside in La Jolla. They have three grown children.

Other elected officers for the 2006 Holiday and Poinsettia Bowls include: Rudy Castruita, President-Elect; Geri Dillingham, Treasurer; and Chuck Wasker, Treasurer.