Austin Bruins and Rochester Grizzlies co-owners Craig Patrick and Mike Cooper on Tuesday announced the hiring of Brian Schulz as the team’s President of Business Operations.

He will oversee both the Bruins and Grizzlies business operations departments, including community relations, marketing and sponsor relations and game day operations. 

Most fans will recognize Schulz as the game day announcer for the Austin Bruins, a role he has held for the previous six seasons. Schulz, 45, has spent the last seven years as the Human Resources Manager for Rochester Motor Cars, the largest auto dealer in southern Minnesota.

Besides the Bruins, his connections to the Austin hockey community come as both a previous member of the Austin Youth Hockey Board and as a hockey parent. Additionally, Schulz was involved with the St Paul Pioneers football team for 10 years, one of the most successful semi-pro teams in the country.

Schulz won the 2003 American Football Association General Manager of The Year and assisted in marketing, game day operations, player recruitment and announcing for the team.

“I’m extremely excited for the opportunity,” Schulz said in a press release. “My commitment to our employees, coaches and players, fans and sponsors is that we will work unceasingly to be a role model organization within both leagues, and must ensure our fans and sponsors understand our appreciation and commitment to the communities and our commitment to consistently bring elite hockey to both Austin and Rochester.”

Schulz will begin transitioning to the new role immediately while finishing up duties with his current position. Schulz will continue to operate as the Game Day Announcer for the Bruins this season.