The Washington Commanders have a new president: former Campbell’s Soup Company CEO Mark Clouse. He will oversee the franchise’s business operations when he assumes his new role in January, the team announced Tuesday.
Clouse, 56, will take over for former President Jason Wright, who helped lead the organization from 2020 through the 2023 season. Wright stepped down over the summer but continues to work with the Commanders as an adviser. Owner Josh Harris noted that the former NFL running back helped select his successor.
“In Mark, we have found a dynamic leader with a stellar track record of guiding organizations to excellence, building brands that connect deeply with consumers, and ultimately delivering best-in-class experiences and lasting memories,” Harris said in a statement. “Mark shares our commitment to using the power of the Commanders franchise to bring people together.”
Clouse, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, served more than six years as a military helicopter pilot before starting his business career in the food industry. After 15 years with Kraft Food, he took on leadership roles with Mondelez and Pinnacle Foods.
“As a military veteran and accomplished business builder, he has a proven ability to strengthen both the organizations he leads and the communities he serves,” Harris said. “I am confident in Mark’s dedication to building a championship-caliber organization and to support football operations in our drive for excellence on the field.”
The Ohio native does not have any clear connections to the D.C. area, but he will likely be a key figure in the team’s hunt for a new stadium. The franchise is actively considering options in the District, Maryland and Virginia. Harris has said he hopes to open a new stadium by 2030.
The new team president is the latest addition to a widespread overhaul that began when Harris purchased the team last year. Since taking over, the new ownership group hired general manager Adam Peters, coach Dan Quinn and a new athletic training director to lead the franchise into the future.
“The Commanders’ passionate fanbase, which has stood by this team for decades, deserves nothing less than our unwavering commitment to excellence,” Clouse said in a statement. “I look forward to supporting ownership, as well as Adam Peters and Dan Quinn, in doing everything in our power to build a championship-caliber organization.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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