Thunderbirds Name New Executive Director
Chance Cozby will assume the role of executive director for The Thunderbirds on Nov. 1, and officially replace John Bridger, current executive director, in spring 2020.
A member of The Thunderbirds since 2010, Cozby was the tournament chairman for the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open and is currently Big Chief of The Thunderbirds and president of Thunderbirds Charities. He has been on staff at PING since 1999 and will remain with PING as vice president of sports development through Oct. 31. The transition will occur over a number of months including the 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open. Cozby will continue to serve out his term as the Big Chief of The Thunderbirds through May 2020.
Cozby received a B.B.A. degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1999, where he earned all-conference honors for three years as a member of the Sooners golf team. His family has a deep background in golf—his brothers Cary and Craig also played golf at Oklahoma, and his dad Jerry is a member of the PGA Hall of Fame and was the 1985 PGA Professional of the Year. A Thunderbird since 2010, Cozby lives in Phoenix with his wife Erica and their two sons, Campbell and Catcher.
John Bridger
Bridger has been a Thunderbird since 1991 and is in his 18th year as executive director, overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of The Thunderbirds and the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Other key duties include providing counsel on fundraising, marketing, leadership and community outreach.
“I’ll have big shoes to fill, there is no doubt about that. John Bridger is a trusted leader that has provided a personal touch from this position for the better part of two decades,” Cozby says. “His legacy is rooted in giving back to our community and we should all give thanks for his 18-year career of making a difference in the lives of so many.”
The 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open Presented by The Ak-Chin Indian Community will be held at TPC Scottsdale January 27 – February 2, 2020.
PHOTOS COURTESY THUNDERBIRDS
