The San Diego Bowl Game Association’s board of directors has elected Eric Graves president of the 2010 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl and San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. He succeeds Barbara Warden, who becomes chairwoman of the board.

“This is the finest group of men and women that I’ve ever been associated with and I’m honored to serve as the 2010 president,” Graves said. “There’s nothing to compare to the excitement of college football, and our two bowls have stellar records for bringing great games to San Diego.”

Graves joined the association’s committee in 1993, and was appointed to the board of directors in 2001.

The mission of the two bowl games is to generate 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 2009 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl featured a 33-0 Nebraska Cornhuskers’ victory over the Arizona Wildcats in front of 64,607 fans at Qualcomm Stadium. The San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl saw the Utah Utes top the California Golden Bears 37-27 in front of 32,665 fans. Both games were televised on ESPN.

Graves is a 1974 graduate of San Diego State University. He came to San Diego from Orange County after three years in the United States Army. His service included two tours in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division. He has worked at KFMB Radio for 28 years.

He resides in Point Loma with his wife, Nancy. Together they raised three children, Ryan, Taylor and Kelsey.

Other 2010 elected officers for the San Diego Bowl Game Association include: Chuck Wasker, president-elect; Shannon Rimmereid, secretary; and Alexandra Squires, treasurer.