3 named to committee for 2018 Super Bowl in Minnesota

Three prominent Minnesota executives have signed on to join the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee for the 2018 game at the new Vikings stadium, CEO Maureen Bausch announced Tuesday.

Bausch said she needs a "bold team" to showcase "Minnesota and the Bold North to the world." The hirings mark her first significant staffing moves since taking the job at the end of last year.

David Haselman will be chief operating officer, the strategist behind all logistics from permits and police to traffic management. Wendy Williams Blackshaw was hired as senior vice president of marketing and sales. And Dana Nelson will be executive director of the 2018 Legacy Fund, a charitable fund that will have a lasting impact on the state.

Haselman has more than 35 years of experience leading companies such as Triple 5 Worldwide, NBC Universal, Northwest Airlines and Mall of America.

Before taking on the Super Bowl, Bausch was the top executive at the Mall of America. "We are very experienced working with each other and know each other's strengths," Bausch said of Haselman.

Williams Blackshaw will lead all branding and get corporate sponsorships. At least $30 million in corporate aid is needed for the event. Bausch cited Williams Blackshaw's work as vice president of Sun Country Airlines. She also worked for seven years as director of marketing at the Mall of America.

Bausch hired Nelson to focus on a fund to support the welfare of Minnesota kids. Nelson is executive director of GiveMN and has been "instrumental" in its Give to the Max Day events, Bausch said.

Nelson has worked for Target, Minneapolis Public Schools and Sun Country, the GiveMN website said. "I am a cheerleader without the little skirt," she is quoted as saying on the site. "I love cheering on organizations and schools to raise more money online."

The committee is working out of office space provided at U.S. Bank. The members' salaries were not made public.

Rochelle Olson • 612-673-1747

Twitter: @rochelleolson