The San Diego Bowl Game Association’s board of directors has elected John R. Wertz president of the 2012 Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl and San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. He succeeds Chuck Wasker, who becomes chairman of the board.

“It’s truly an honor for me to be president of an organization that does so much for our community,” said Wertz. “Using college football as our platform, the bowl games are able to annually generate millions of dollars in economic benefit during the two slowest tourism weeks in San Diego. I look forward to leading this effort in 2012.”

Wertz joined the association’s committee in 2001, and was appointed to the board of directors in 2008. He served as co-chair of the team selection committee in 2009 and 2010.

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 2011 Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl featured a 21-10 Texas Longhorns’ victory over the California Golden Bears in front of 56,313 fans at Qualcomm Stadium. The San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl saw the TCU Horned Frogs top the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 31-24 in front of 24,607 fans. Both games were televised on ESPN.

Wertz is a graduate of the University of Nebraska, Colleges of Business and Law. He is a veteran San Diego lawyer, practicing in the areas of litigation and business.

With his wife, Susan, he raised three children, John Ross, Jamie and Margaret. He resides in Point Loma.

Other 2012 elected officers for the San Diego Bowl Game Association include: Bill Geppert, president-elect; Renee Davies, secretary; and Shannon Rimmereid, treasurer.