AKRON, Ohio -- Tournament officials announced Monday that Richard K. Smucker has accepted the position as the Honorary Tournament Chairman for the 2007 World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational held on July 31-Aug. 5, 2007 on the South Course at Firestone Country Club.

Smucker is president and co-CEO of The J. M. Smucker Company, makers of jams, jellies, ice cream toppings, juices, and other food products. He is the great-grandson of J. M. (Jerome Monroe) Smucker, who founded the company bearing his name in Orrville, Ohio in 1897. The Company's headquarters are still located in Orrville.

“Richard Smucker has been a leader in the community and has shown the integrity and dedication to charity that go hand-in-hand with the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational,” said the tournament’s Executive Director Tom Strong. “We are delighted to have him on board.”

Richard graduated from Miami University of Ohio, and received an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Before being named president in 1987, he held various financial and operational positions with the company, including treasurer, executive vice president, and chief administrative officer.

Tickets for the Bridgestone Invitational can still be purchased by calling the Championship Office at 330-664-2299, by calling toll free 1-877-942-4849, or by logging on to www.worldgolfchampionships.com