METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints have promoted executive Dennis Lauscha, who helped the team negotiate a lease extension for the Louisiana Superdome.

Saints owner Tom Benson announced Monday that Lauscha, who is entering his 12th season with the club, has been promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Lauscha, a graduate of Jesuit High School in New Orleans, played a leading role in a deal to keep the Saints playing in the Superdome through 2025, an agreement that included upgrades to the stadium and Benson's purchase of a downtown office tower.

"His work affects everything the Saints are able to accomplish, on and off the field," Benson said. "Dennis may keep a low profile publicly, but his work is often for the good of everyone -- important projects like getting Super Bowls for our city and working to make the Superdome a better stadium. Dennis is a New Orleans native and he is a credit to our community."

After the Saints and Gov. Bobby Jindal agreed to a lease extension, which still requires final approval by the state Legislature, the NFL awarded the 2013 Super Bowl to New Orleans.

Lauscha, who received his masters in business administration from Loyola University in New Orleans and joined the Saints in 1998, also led negotiations for Benson's purchase of WVUE FOX-8 and serves on NFL committees dealing with financial reporting and disaster preparedness.