Keith R. Tribble, Chief Executive Director of Orange Bowl Committee, Accepts Athletic Director at University of Central Florida
Eric L. Poms Named New Chief Executive Officer

Keith R. Tribble, chief executive officer of the Orange Bowl Committee (OBC) for the past 13 years, was named athletic director at the University of Central Florida.

"I am grateful to the Orange Bowl Committee for the opportunity it presented to me 13 years ago," said Tribble.  "I'd also like to single out the OBC staff, which I believe is the finest in the Bowl system. They truly work hard and their results are evident in the success we achieved."

Tribble was instrumental in securing the Orange Bowl's membership in the elite Bowl Championship Series and negotiated its renewal through 2010, guaranteeing the Committee's next National Championship game in January 2009.  Under Tribble, the FedEx Orange Bowl had hosted five National Championship games: 1994, 1995, 1998, 2001 and most recently, 2005. 

For only the fifth time in its 72-year history, the Orange Bowl Committee (OBC) has a new leader in place, and it didn't have to go very far in its search. Eric L. Poms, who served as the OBC's chief operating officer for the past 13 years, was recently named the organization's new CEO.

"Eric's passion for the Orange Bowl, knowledge of college football, relationships among conference commissioners and staff, and respect within the Committee unequivocally qualify him to be the next CEO", said Albert E. Dotson Jr., president of the Orange Bowl Committee.  "Succession planning is important within any organization, and it is no accident that the most qualified person for the CEO position is within our organization, making for a smooth transition."

Poms succeeds Keith R. Tribble, who left to assume the athletic director role at the University of Central Florida.  Poms assisted Tribble with the day-to-day management of the Committee and events surrounding the Orange Bowl Festival, as well as overseeing creation of new events, such as the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic and Orange Bowl Beach Bash.  He also was responsible for representing the OBC at various community and business events and seminars.