Columbus Lions Make Addition To Ownership Group

In a press conference at the Columbus Civic Center, the Columbus Lions of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) announced today the addition of Duke Liberatore and Jan McBarron to the team's ownership group.
"I am thrilled to announce the addition of 'Duke and The Doctor' to our ownership group," said Principal Owner John Hargrove. "Throughout this process it was not only important to find new partners but to find the right partners who could help validate our business model. Duke and Jan's business savvy, humanitarian interests and connections to the community will be a huge asset the Lions organization."
CEO of Peachtree Natural Foods, Duke is a known sports advocate. A graduate of Georgia State University, at the age of 20 Duke began an interest in preventive health. After losing both of his parents to heart disease in the same year, Duke became determined to minimize his risk of this hereditary disease. After educating himself, he realized that there were measures that could be taken to help prevent other health conditions from occurring. It was then that he started to make a career out of healthy living. In 1990 he opened his first of now twelve Peachtree Natural Foods stores.
Married to medical physician and best-selling author, Jan McBarron, M.D., together they host their own radio and television health program. In addition to serving as a board certified medical doctor in a thriving practice near Atlanta, Dr. McBarron is a specialist in weight loss and preventive medicine and has a private medical practice in Columbus, GA. Author of three best-selling books Flavor Without Fat, The Columbus Nutrition Program and Being a Woman Naturally - Dr. Jan McBarron's Guide to Natural Supplements Beyond 25 and has been featured in Time, U.S. News & World Report, Readers' Digest, Sports Illustrated, Women's World and Fitness magazines.
"Before joining the Lions organization we did an extensive look at all aspects of the team from its presence in the community to the experience of attending games," said new owner Duke Liberatore. "The excitement they provide to their fans to the high-level of commitment members to serving the community this organization has become a model for other indoor teams to follow and I just wanted to be a part of that excellence as well as help in the growth process for the club."