The Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee on Thursday named Mall of America Exec VP/Business Development MAUREEN BAUSCH CEO, a "two-year job that entails preparing the Twin Cities" for Super Bowl LII in '18, according to Nick Halter of the MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL BUSINESS JOURNAL. Set to begin the new job Dec. 15, her "first tasks will be hiring a staff and finding office space" for the committee. Bausch "will also need to raise more" than the $30M that the committee has already collected "as the budget increases." Ecolab Chair & CEO DOUG BAKER said that the group chose Bausch over five other candidates "because she has the skills, knowledge and personality to run the event." The committee hired Chicago-based exec search Spencer Stuart "to find candidates" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/13). Meanwhile, the HOUSTON CHRONICLE reported the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee Exec Dir SALLIE SARGENT on Thursday "was named the group's president and CEO." Sargent "will lead the organization that is in charge of planning the events surrounding" Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium" in '17. Her resume "includes previous Super Bowls, college bowl games, the NBA All-Star Game, MLB’s Charity Gala," the '04 Democratic National Convention and the '08 Republican Convention (CHRON.com, 11/13).
