Important components of leadership are flexibility, creativity and commitment.  Tom Mickle, Executive Director of Florida Citrus Sports, proved just that.  When the Chamber was advised of an unexpected conflict in our advertised speaker's schedule just hours before the recent Leadership Alumni Listening to Leaders Forum, the very first call we made was met instantly with "Yes, I'll be glad to do it."
 
Since taking over the role of Executive Director for Florida Citrus Sports on January 2, 2002, Tom Mickle has led the organization through numerous changes and guided Florida Citrus Sports into several promising partnerships.
 
He made an immediate impact in his first year, negotiating a new four-year, exclusive title partnership with Capital One to present the Capital One Bowl. Last year, the Capital One Bowl paid out $10.25 million to the two participating teams, the highest in the bowl's history, and the fifth-highest payout among all bowls.
 
Mickle then focused on the Tangerine Bowl, signing a four-year tie-in with the Big 12 Conference and a two-year agreement with Mazda to be the game's title sponsor. In the past two years, local ticket sales have doubled as attendance has risen each year.
 
Community building is all about relationships, and Mickle has been instrumental in creating partnerships with organizations in the Central Florida area and in the world of intercollegiate athletics, both at the core of the Florida Citrus Sports mission.  His accomplishments during his brief time in our community are many . . . suffice it to say that he has made his mark in Central Florida since the day he arrived.
 
His previous professional experience has served him well during the past several months, in particular, in leading the region's bid effort for the BCS Championship Series.  During his community conversation with Chamber President Jacob Stuart during the Listening to Leaders program, Mickle highlighted to positive effect such an achievement would bring to Central Florida.
 
Leadership Orlando Class 62 received a much more in depth briefing from Mickle at its Economic Leadership session the following day on his "turf" at the Florida Citrus Sports facilities at the Citrus Bowl.  For his commitment of time to Listening to Leaders and Leadership Orlando, we say thank you!
 
Before joining Florida Citrus Sports, Mickle played a key role in reshaping the bowl landscape of major college football over the last 10 years as Associate Commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference.  Prior to that, he served 17 years at Duke University in a variety of positions including as sports information director, director of sports services and director of the Varsity Club.  Mickle is a native of Media, Pa., and a 1972 graduate of Duke University. 

Click here for photos from this event.