Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced the appointment of Mercer Island resident Tod Leiweke to the Board of Trustees at Western Washington University. Leiweke is the chief executive officer of Vulcan Sports & Entertainment, which oversees the Seattle Seahawks, Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle Sounders FC.

“While most know Tod for leading the Seahawks and Sounders FC, I know and admire Tod for his strong desire to give back to his community and the state of Washington,” Gregoire said. “Combine his civic leadership with his strong business skills, and I know Tod will bring great success to the Western Washington University Board of Trustees.”

“I am honored to serve on the Board of Trustees,” said Leiweke. “The university is a rising star and I look forward to working with President Shepard and the other trustees to support the excellence and reputation of one of the finest regional universities on the west coast.”

Leiweke’s time in Seattle has led to great success on the athletic field. Under his leadership in 2005, the Seahawks advanced to its first Super Bowl and were voted the NFL’s “fan friendliest” team. The following year, the team sold out-of-season tickets for the first time since the early 1990s. Leiweke was also instrumental in bringing the Seattle Sounders FC to Qwest Field.

Leiweke has also served on the boards of the Washington CEO Roundtable and the Space Needle. In addition, Leiweke helped launch the annual Boeing Classic golf tournament, which has raised nearly $3 million for local charities.

Leiweke is originally from St. Louis, Mo. He lives on Mercer Island with his wife, Tara, and their two children, Tyler and Tori.