Tournament of Roses Executive Director William Flinn to Retire in 2017

William Flinn, the Executive Director of the Tournament of Roses Association, will retire in 2017 after more than three decades with the organization, according to an announcement by the Tournament of Roses today.

During his career, Flinn performed various roles in the group that managed the Rose Bowl game and the Rose Parade every New Year’s Day.  He served as public relations director and chief operating officer, before becoming executive director in 2012.

A report in the Pasadena Star-News said Brad Ratcliff, president of the board of the Tournament of Roses, has issued a memo saying Flinn has been “a dedicated and outstanding member of the Tournament of Roses staff team and has guided the association faithfully and skillfully during his tenure.”

A spokesperson for the Tournament of Roses confirmed the information, saying the memo was an internal announcement which had been sent only to volunteers and not the media.

Flinn was Chief Operating Officer of the Tournament of Roses before becoming Executive Director. He served as Interim Executive Director from September 2011 to March 1, 2012.

As Executive Director, Flinn is responsible for overseeing the Tournament’s public and media relations, marketing, licensing, government relations, parade television broadcasting, membership services, procurement, and services to the Tournament’s corporate and civic participants.

Flinn is also an active volunteer with several community organizations. He serves as the Chairman of the Governance Council for Crestmont College and has served as the President and Chairman of the Board of Pasadena Christian Schools.

Over the years he also has directed numerous choral and instrumental groups and is the conductor of The Salvation Army’s Pasadena Tabernacle Band.

Flinn’s last day will be April 30, 2017, according to the Star-News report.