David Epps just pulled off the career version of marching from the upper deck to the 50-yard line. The Atlanta native has officially taken over as chief executive officer of the Chick‑fil‑A Peach Bowl, the city’s marquee college‑football showcase. Epps, who first joined the bowl as a ticket‑sales intern in 1994, steps into the top job after more than three decades in the organization. He replaces longtime leader Gary Stokan, who exited after last season as college football wrestles with conference realignment, the transfer portal and a fast‑evolving Name, Image and Likeness landscape.
The promotion was formalized in a June 2, 2026 press release announcing that Epps “has assumed the role” of CEO after most recently serving as chief operating officer and vice president of marketing, according to PR Newswire. The bowl credited him with steering major events, corporate partnerships and long‑term planning, and described the change at the top as a planned internal succession following Stokan’s previously announced retirement.
Epps called the promotion “an incredible honor” and described the current moment as “an inflection point” for the bowl as it works to stay ahead of rapid shifts in the sport, per PR Newswire. The release also spotlighted recent partnership work, including a collaboration with Auburn University that tested a multi‑million‑dollar third‑party model for student‑athlete marketing. Board chair Percy Vaughn praised Epps’ experience and said he is well positioned to carry the bowl’s momentum forward.
From Intern to CEO
Epps’ ascent is about as local as it gets. The organization’s staff directory and previous announcements show he started as a ticket‑sales intern in 1994, then climbed through roles in ticketing, marketing and operations before becoming chief operating officer and vice president of marketing. Peach Bowl communications in August 2025 set June 1, 2026 as the official effective date for the leadership change, outlining a long‑planned handoff inside the organization, according to Peach Bowl, Inc..
Over those years, the bowl has grown from a single postseason game into a broader portfolio that now includes the Aflac Kickoff Game, a charity golf tournament and other national properties. Epps has played a role in running that expanded slate, according to Peach Bowl, Inc., which now becomes his to guide from the corner office.
What The Transition Means
The timing of the handoff is not exactly low‑stakes. Stokan had already been warning about bigger pressures on the system, including attendance patterns, the sport’s calendar and future revenue models. Sports Business Journal reported his concerns about changing fan behavior and the need for structural adjustments across college football.
Epps now inherits both the bowl’s national platform and its local responsibilities, charged with keeping ticket sales strong in Atlanta while maintaining the organization’s charitable giving. In other words, he has to keep the games big, the building full and the philanthropy flowing, all as the foundations of the sport keep shifting.
Atlanta's Bowl, A Local Institution
Local reporting in the Atlanta Journal‑Constitution emphasized Epps’ deep roots in the city and his decades‑long tenure with the bowl, underscoring that this was a promotion from within rather than an outside hire. As he settles into the CEO chair in early June, sponsors, universities and fans will be watching to see whether the bowl can keep selling out Mercedes‑Benz Stadium while expanding its partnerships in the NIL era.
For now, the official line from Peach Bowl leadership is continuity. The city’s signature college‑football event is staying in familiar hands, with a homegrown executive now calling the plays for a national showcase.
