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Pack to enact plan to promote prez Harlan's successor
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
This week doesn't mark the conclusion to Bob Harlan's 3½-decade career in the Green Bay Packers' front office. It does, though, signal the beginning of the end to his long and prosperous tenure with a team over which he has presided as president and chief operating officer since 1989, and which he has maintained as a model franchise.
On Wednesday, the Packers' board of directors will approve a succession strategy formulated by Harlan about two years ago, in which current Green Bay executive vice president John Jones will become the new president and COO next year.
Under the succession plan, Harlan, 69, will remain with the Packers for a year as chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer. In May 2007, he will become chairman emeritus, essentially stepping aside for Jones to take over as the organization's top front office executive.
The transition, given that Jones has worked closely with Harlan on so many key projects in recent years, is expected to be a relatively seamless one.
Jones, 54, joined the Packers in 1999 as senior vice president of administration after a varied career that included 10 years with the NFL Management Council, the league's labor arm, and a tour in the Jacksonville Jaguars' front office. Although it wasn't clear from the outset that Jones would eventually preside over the franchise of which he has been a life-long fan, he has certainly been groomed as Harlan's successor for the last few years.
A former sportswriter, draft junkie and marathoner, Jones' diverse background, along with his knowledge of the NFL's inner workings figure to serve him well. Jones helped implement the salary cap system and has been a part, in the past, of negotiations with the NFL Players Association. Most of his early years with the Packers were devoted to the business side of the organization, but Jones has of late become increasingly involved in football matters.
Harlan joined the Packers as assistant general manager in 1971 and was elected as president in 1989. His tenure involves two Super Bowl appearances and one championship, a stretch of 13 straight winning years, and the $300 million renovation of historic Lambeau Field, a refurbishing that transformed the stadium into one of the most financially viable venues in the league.
In 2004, Harlan, who has long been influential in league circles, was elected to the Green Bay Packers' Hall of Fame. The plaza in front of the main entrance to Lambeau Field also bears his name.
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
This week doesn't mark the conclusion to Bob Harlan's 3½-decade career in the Green Bay Packers' front office. It does, though, signal the beginning of the end to his long and prosperous tenure with a team over which he has presided as president and chief operating officer since 1989, and which he has maintained as a model franchise.
On Wednesday, the Packers' board of directors will approve a succession strategy formulated by Harlan about two years ago, in which current Green Bay executive vice president John Jones will become the new president and COO next year.
Under the succession plan, Harlan, 69, will remain with the Packers for a year as chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer. In May 2007, he will become chairman emeritus, essentially stepping aside for Jones to take over as the organization's top front office executive.
The transition, given that Jones has worked closely with Harlan on so many key projects in recent years, is expected to be a relatively seamless one.
Jones, 54, joined the Packers in 1999 as senior vice president of administration after a varied career that included 10 years with the NFL Management Council, the league's labor arm, and a tour in the Jacksonville Jaguars' front office. Although it wasn't clear from the outset that Jones would eventually preside over the franchise of which he has been a life-long fan, he has certainly been groomed as Harlan's successor for the last few years.
A former sportswriter, draft junkie and marathoner, Jones' diverse background, along with his knowledge of the NFL's inner workings figure to serve him well. Jones helped implement the salary cap system and has been a part, in the past, of negotiations with the NFL Players Association. Most of his early years with the Packers were devoted to the business side of the organization, but Jones has of late become increasingly involved in football matters.
Harlan joined the Packers as assistant general manager in 1971 and was elected as president in 1989. His tenure involves two Super Bowl appearances and one championship, a stretch of 13 straight winning years, and the $300 million renovation of historic Lambeau Field, a refurbishing that transformed the stadium into one of the most financially viable venues in the league.
In 2004, Harlan, who has long been influential in league circles, was elected to the Green Bay Packers' Hall of Fame. The plaza in front of the main entrance to Lambeau Field also bears his name.
