EL PASO, Texas – The Sun Bowl Association hosted a new president and board of directors’ installation along with honoring volunteers at the El Paso Zoo on Sunday, June 28, 2025, announcing Richard Dayoub as the new President for 2026.
Richard E. Dayoub is the founder and principal of Thunderbird Management Consulting, LLC. He began his career in the chamber world in 2003 as the Chief Operating Officer. In 2004, he assumed the position of president and was selected to be the Chamber’s President and CEO in 2007. Since 2004, Dayoub has served on the Collaborative for Academic Excellence, a nationally recognized partnership headquartered at the University of Texas at El Paso and chaired by its president, Dr. Diana Natalicio. He has also served as board chair for the Child Crisis Center, board member of Junior Achievement, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. In 2010, he was honored by the El Paso Child Guidance Center as the guest of honor for a fundraiser roast for the community-based charitable organization, and was honored as the Fort Bliss Citizen of the Year in 2009, for his work in support of Fort Bliss soldiers and their families. Dayoub was inducted into the Fort Bliss Hall of Fame in May of 2013. He was inducted into the League of Women Voters’ prestigious Life Time Achievement Bravo Award for his contributions in public policy promoting good government and transparency in October 2017.
Dayoub is a graduate of the Institute for Organizational Management, completing his coursework at the University of Arizona in 2009. He served as the Chairman of the Texas Metro Chambers of Commerce, serving in that capacity for two years, in 2010 and 2011. In 2007 and 2008, he participated as a Ford Foundation Fellow, a project focused on regionalism and sustainable development in partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. Richard served on the ACCE Board of Directors as Vice Chair and was an active member of the Metro Cities Council. Richard is an ACCE Fellow for Education Attainment. He received his Certified Chamber Executive Designation in April of 2014. Richard currently serves as president of the Sun Bowl Association, and he is on the board of El Pasoans Fighting Hunger and the Stars Education Foundation.
“Richard Dayoub continues the legacy of great Sun Bowl Presidents,” said Sun Bowl Association Executive Director Bernie Olivas. “We look forward to another tremendous year with Richard at the helm. He brings vast experience in business and community relations. The Sun Bowl Association is always looking to improve year after year, and Richard is more than capable of leading us to achieve that goal.”
Richard Dayoub installed as 2026-27 Sun Bowl Association President.
In his prior career, Dayoub was the president and CEO of a large regional travel company for nearly 30 years. In that capacity, he oversaw the growth and expansion of the company that transformed from a small local operation with 10 employees to a company with 10 offices in four states and more than 100 employees. In that capacity, his company was recognized as the highest-producing retailer in the southwest by every major airline, tour, and cruise company in the country. He also served on American Airlines’ travel advisory committee for ten years.
Dayoub is also the longtime host of El Paso Prime Time, KTEP Public Radio’s weekly public affairs program, where he discusses economic development, public policy, mobility, security, and quality of life issues with local, state, and national leaders, helping foster civic engagement and informed discussion throughout the Borderplex region.
Dayoub attended the University of Texas at El Paso, majoring in speech and theatre studies, and recently returned to complete his work in Interdisciplinary Studies. He is an Air Force veteran, serving two tours in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. Married to Veronica Villaverde Dayoub, they have four children: Danielle, Damon, Samuel, and Emily. He also has three granddaughters: Ariah, Ava, and Ryan.
“I’m excited to do this. I have been on the board (of the Sun Bowl Association) for a number of years,” said Dayoub. “Watching all the moving parts that make it up, I feel very blessed and privileged to have been asked to do this.”
The 2026-2027 Board of Directors includes: Jimmy Rogers Jr. (deceased), Richard Dayoub, Brooke Underwood, Tony Valtier, Tamara Gladkowski, Patsy Achim, Robert Almanzan, Ben Avalos, Beau Bagley, John Folmer, Amber Herrera, Barry Kobren, Jim Lawrence, Scott Mann, Mark Pelletier, Raul Placencia, Linda Smith, Eric Swanson, Wayne Thornton, Pat Valdez-Rios, Steve Anderson, Amen Ayoub, Jeff Darby, Greg Groves, Michelle Kaip, Annai Escobedo, Rebekah Patterson, and Carrie Reyes.
The ceremony included the Sun Bowl Association honoring and thanking volunteers, as well as presenting plaques to various award winners. (A list of award winners is attached with this release)
“It is because of the volunteers that the Sun Bowl is recognized nationally and is one of the best in the bowl business,” said Executive Director Bernie Olivas. “They are truly the lifeblood of the Sun Bowl Association.”
Sun Bowl Association volunteers were honored on Sunday at the El Paso Zoo.
Olivas, the Sun Bowl Association staff, and volunteers look forward to another season of community events for El Paso to enjoy, culminating in the 93rd Annual Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on December 31, 2026.
ABOUT THE SUN BOWL ASSOCIATION
The Sun Bowl Association is a volunteer-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Sun Bowl Association, with the help of over 700 volunteers, promotes and serves the El Paso community and features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the annual Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl football game. Other Sun Bowl core events include the Nusenda Credit Union Sun Bowl Pickleball Tournament, the Glasheen, Valles, & Inderman Injury Lawyers Sun Bowl Parade, the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Basketball Invitational, the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Fan Fiesta presented by El Paso LIVE, and the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Pregame Fan Party presented by Visit El Paso. Follow the Sun Bowl Association on Instagram (@tonythetigersunbowl), Facebook (Sun Bowl Association), and X (@TonytheTigerSB).
