The Minnesota Vikings have hired Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota veteran Tina Holmes as a chief of staff in the front office.

Vikings COO Kevin Warren said in a news release that Holmes will work with the team's executives to identify and solve problems as well as help with strategic planning throughout the organization.

Holmes will be chief of staff and a strategic adviser. She was in a similar position for the past four years at Blue Cross and Blue Shield, where she worked for 20 years.

"She is a consummate professional and, as our organization continues to evolve and grow, is exactly what the Vikings need to keep building a 'best in class' global franchise," Warren said.

The Vikings' news release said Holmes was "an integral member of Blue Cross Blue Shield's executive leadership team and led Blue Cross's business resiliency, crisis management and enterprise event teams."

Before 2013, she worked in the company's information technology and project management divisions. Holmes has a bachelor's degree in organizational management from Concordia University in St. Paul.

Over about a year, the Vikings have hired and promoted women for the front office and established an advisory board to connect with female fans. Karin Nelson was hired from Cargill as vice president of legal and human resources. Tanya Dreesen was promoted to vice president. Kate Shibilski is the vice president of finance and controller.

Rochelle Olson • 612-673-1747

Twitter: @rochelleolson