PHOENIX, February, 10 – Jay L. Parry has been appointed to the newly-created position of Chief Operating Officer of the WNBA Phoenix Mercury, it was announced Monday by Phoenix Suns President and Operating Officer Rick Welts. Parry, who will report to Welts, will oversee business operations of the WNBA franchise including corporate partnerships, brand building, marketing, community outreach, ticket sales and will work closely with the team’s new investors Anne Mariucci and Kathy Munro.

Parry most recently served as Executive Vice President for Bank of America’s ten-state Central Region, and was responsible for marketing, strategic planning, brand building and management, and optimizing the customer experience. She was based in Dallas, Texas.

”2004 is the year of the Mercury,” said Welts. “The leadership Jay will provide is pivotal to our quest for a winning season both on and off the court. Combined with the energy being infused by the team’s new owners and our number one pick in April’s Draft we are building unstoppable momentum.”

Local businesswomen, Kathy Munro and Anne Mariucci agreed to acquire 25% of the Mercury from the Phoenix Suns, it was announced by Suns owner Jerry Colangelo last week.

“By attracting an executive of Jay’s talent and commitment, we are poised to capitalize on our outreach to the business community and fans at a time when our on-court play is set to take a major step forward,” said Kathy Munro, who worked closely with Parry for numerous years at Bank of America.

“I am thrilled to join the Mercury in this exciting year of growth, and look forward to leveraging my business experience and ties to the community at a time when the Mercury is positioned for great improvement on the court. This season is sure to be exciting, dynamic and affordable entertainment for young athletes and their families as well as the entire community,” said Parry.

Mercury Vice President and General Manager Seth Sulka will concentrate on basketball operations and will continue to report to Welts and Bryan Colangelo, Suns President and General Manager.

Prior to her role as Executive Vice President for BofA based in Dallas, Parry was based in Phoenix for eight years, most recently as Executive Vice President and Marketing Director of the bank’s four-state Southwest Region (Arizona, Texas, Nevada and New Mexico). In this position, she focused on strategic planning, brand building and management, and optimizing the customer experience. Parry began her tenure in Phoenix as Vice President and Marketing Director, and was responsible for launching various customer acquisition and retention, as well as sports sponsorship programs in Arizona. She began her nearly 20-year career in San Francisco at Young and Rubicam Advertising before moving to BofA.

While in Phoenix, Parry served on the boards of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Downtown Phoenix Partnership-Marketing and the Phoenix Pride Commission. She was appointed to the Host Committee for Super Bowl XXX, and also served on the 1998 City of Phoenix International Women’s Day Executive Committee. In Dallas, Parry served on the Board of Directors for the Dallas Red Cross and the Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates.

Parry’s community and trade association activities have included the Make-A-Wish Foundation, American Cancer Society, Bank Marketing Association, University of Colorado Alumnae, and Helen Woodward Animal Center.

A native of Del Mar, California, Parry earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the University of Colorado-Boulder.

The Mercury, a charter member of the WNBA, hold the first pick in the 2004 WNBA College Draft, one of the deepest collegiate drafts to date. The Mercury open their eighth season on Thursday, May 20, when they host the Sacramento Monarchs at America West Arena.