Bob Williams named Hawks' president

ATLANTA, June 18 (UPI) -- Longtime Atlanta Hawks front-office executive Bob Williams has been named the NBA team's president.

Williams, who has been with the franchise for 35 years and has been in charge of Philips Arena since it opened in 1999, will be in charge of the club's business operations.

"I'm thrilled to put my experience to the test in a new, yet familiar discipline, and am grateful to our owners for their confidence in me," Williams said. "The opportunity to help shape the relationship that our fans and business partners have with the Hawks is an exciting challenge and one I'm looking forward to immensely."

Williams also will be an executive vice president in the team's parent company.