The already "prominent military influence on leadership" of the NHL Panthers took another step on Thursday with retired U.S. Army Gen. Raymond Odierno named as Chair & Alternate Governor, according to Craig Davis of the South Florida SUN-SENTINEL. Odierno "served as the 38th Chief of Staff of the Army" and led the U.S. joint forces command in Iraq from '10-11. He has been working with Panthers Owner Vinnie Viola since February on getting the organization "back on a course." The move frees NHL Panthers Exec Chair Peter Luukko to "devote full attention to his role" as co-Chair of the Oak View Group’s Arena Alliance. In a separate announcement, OVG was "installed as the booking agent for premium live entertainment events at the BB&T Center." Luukko will "maintain an office at BB&T Center." Odierno will "function as a senior consultant to ownership on hockey and business matters," working with President of Hockey Operations Dale Tallon and President & CEO Matthew Caldwell, respectively. Panthers leadership has been "dominated by individuals with military backgrounds under the ownership of Viola," a '77 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 10/13).
