Lynn Swann

Lynn Swann Speaker Biography

Hall of Fame Wide Receiver, USC Athletic Director, and Sports Commentator

Lynn Swann was born in Alcoa, Tennessee to Willie and Mildred Swann.  Lynn moved to California at the age of 2 with his parents and two brothers, spending summers in Tennessee and getting his education in California.

Football

Lynn used the opportunity to play football at the University of Southern California to earn his degree in public relations from the university’s School of Journalism.  His success on the field led to professional football.  In 1974 he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Lynn would go on to be a cornerstone of the Steelers’ dynasty, winning four Super Bowls.  He was inducted into the Pro-Football Hall of Fame in 2001.  Lynn is also co-owner of the Pittsburgh Power arena football team.

Business

Lynn currently sits on the board of directors of Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, Caesar’s Entertainment, and the National Football Foundation, and is a trustee for American Homes for Rent.  He has previously sat on the boards of the H. J. Heinz Company (2003 – 2013), Empower Software Solutions (2008-2012), Transdel Pharmaceuticals (2008 – 2011) and Wyndham Resorts (1999 – 2003). Lynn is also president of Swann, Inc., a marketing and consulting company and The Lynn Swann Group, which is a third party capital fundraising firm.  He holds Series 7 (2007) and Series 63 (2009) licenses.

Affiliations

Since 1979 Lynn Swann has been the National Spokesman for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.  He served on their National Board of Directors from the mid-1980s to 2011, and was Chairman of the National Board from 1993 to 1995.  He has traveled across the country, testified before Congress and visited the White House on behalf of the nation’s premiere one-to-one mentoring organization.

Politics

It is this community leadership, along with other qualities, that led President George W. Bush to ask Lynn to serve as the Chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.  He also represented the United States on a Presidential mission to South Africa on the 10th anniversary of the end of Apartheid. From 2005-2006 Lynn Swann ran for Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Lynn did not win, but he ran a very strong and popular campaign.