TALLAHASSEE -- The Florida Sports Foundation announces the organization’s 2002-2003 Executive Committee. The Committee was elected at the June 21 Board of Directors meeting in Orlando. The five-member committee presides over the Board of Directors as FSF policies and procedures are implemented. The newly-elected officers will serve a two-year term.

Chair William Hammond, Ft. Myers, Lee County Board of County Commissioners
Vice Chair Robin Safley, Tallahassee, Florida Department of Education
Secretary Rick Nafe, for Vince Naimoli, St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Treasurer F.C. "Nick" Nixon, Tallahassee, Nick Nixon Financial Consulting
At-Large Dave Almstead, Orlando, Fox Sports Network

William Hammond, Deputy County Administrator for Lee County, will serve as Chairman after spending the last two years on the Executive Committee as Treasurer. Hammond has been a member of the Foundation Board for five years and has been active as Chairman of the Finance Committee. Hammond assumes the chair from Dave Almstead of Orlando.

Robin Safley, Chief of Staff for Florida Education Commissioner Charlie Crist, is the Vice-Chair. Safley was previously an At-Large Executive Committee Member and is the chairperson of the Foundation Grants Committee.

Rick Nafe, Vice President of Facilities and Operations for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, will serve as Treasurer as a designee for Vince Naimoli, owner of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Nafe has been the Devil Rays designee for the FSF Board of Directors for the last three years.

Nick Nixon, Tallahassee financial consultant, will serve as Treasurer. Nixon began his term on the FSF Board of Directors in March of 2002.

Dave Almstead, Senior Vice President with Fox Sports Network, will serve as FSF Board At-Large Representative. Almstead, an FSF board member for nine years, served as Chairman and Vice-Chairman over the past four years.

Overseen by the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, the Florida Sports Foundation was founded in 1992 as the state's lead organization in promoting and developing both amateur and professional sports. For more information about the Florida Sports Foundation and its programs check www.flasports.com.