Green Bay Packers COO/general counsel Ed Policy announces housing at Titletown July 30, 2019. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Packers have enjoyed success on and off the field since Youngstown, Ohio native Ed Policy joined the team in 2012.
One of his most notable tasks has been helping oversee the development of the 45-acre Titletown District.
“We really hope that after you see the site that you’re going to agree that Titletown will truly be transformative in this community,” said Policy during a 2017 press conference as the public amenities were being constructed.
Transitioning to his new role shouldn’t be a big adjustment, according to those who perhaps know Policy best in a professional sense.
“It was actually Commissioner Goodell who introduced us and said hey this is a sharp young guy with lots of promise,” said David Baker, the retired president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who worked with Policy at the Arena Football League.
Baker spent 12 years as commissioner of the Arena Football League. Policy was his deputy commissioner most of that time before taking over for Baker in the lead role in 2009.
“When I was working with Ed, what always struck me the most is he is the best listener I have ever met,” said Baker. “He could remember a conversation as to how they were said and what was said and he’s really tuned into you and I think he’ll listen a lot to the people of Green Bay and the Packers fans across the nation.”
Policy is the son of Carmen Policy, former president of the San Francisco 49ers, who played a major role in the team’s five Super Bowl wins in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
“Ed grew up literally in the NFL during its formative years from Pete Rozelle to Paul Tagliabue, so he was around a lot of those owners,” said Baker. “I think the game is in his blood.”
Baker complimented Policy for being “a guy of the highest quality and character whose got a lot of skills.”
“I can’t think of another guy, and I’ve got a lot of friends who’ve become club presidents, but I can’t think of another guy who is more perfectly suited for the job there in Green Bay than Ed Policy,” said Baker.
The Packers started the process of having to replace Murphy early last year, but things really ramped up in May when a search committee was formed. After going through a list of 90 potential candidates, the committee decided to keep things in house – a welcomed move by some who work closely with both Murphy and Policy.
“Ed was one of those early leaders who really embraced me and welcomed me into Green Bay, provided a lot of counsel, a lot of great advocacy for the work that we do in the community,” said Dennis Buehler, the president and CEO of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation.
Policy served on the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation’s board of directors for six years. Buehler says Policy was particularly influential in how the Packers helped the foundation get resources to those who needed it during the COVID pandemic.
“Obviously people have seen the impact he’s had on the football operation and the Green Bay Packers over the years, but I’m not sure many people know about the extent of his work behind the scenes and working with community groups and nonprofits and really trying to lift this community up,” said Buehler.
In a statement released through the team, while Policy says “a positive impact on the community will continue to be paramount in decision-making”, he also says “the Lombardi Trophy will always be our North Star.”
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