TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona Athletics Department has announced a realignment and restructuring of its Development staff in response to one of its largest fundraising years in department history. Arizona Athletics remains committed to its strategic Wildcat Way initiatives of driving comprehensive student-athlete success by growing and developing its fundraising strategies and resources while effectively responding to the ever-changing landscape of college athletics.
 
"Intensifying our focus on revenue generation is a key component of ensuring that Arizona Athletics provides its first-class student-athlete and fan experiences for years to come," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Heeke. "Our Development staff, under the leadership of Erika Barnes, has eclipsed its fundraising goals in record-breaking fashion during the uncertainty of the global pandemic to provide opportunities for student-athletes to become academic, athletic and life champions. This reorganization will allow us to continue our championship excellence in all facets of our operation to fulfill our Wildcat Way mission."
 
The Wildcat Club is growing its staff with the addition of Senior Associate A.D. James Francis who has transitioned to the Development team with a focus on major gifts and brings twenty years of external operations experience with the athletics department. The Wildcat Club's growth will also include a national search for an additional major gifts officer to report to Associate A.D. for Development Phil Maben. Additionally, Arizona's A-Club Letterwinners Association will begin the search process for a new Director that will be overseen by Associate A.D. Roberta Stout.

Staffing growth within the Wildcat Club will now include the future addition of two full-time Annual Giving and Operations positions that will be overseen by Joe McLean who was recently promoted to Associate A.D. for Development & Revenue Generation.
 
The transitions and staff additions will enhance the department's organizational efficiency and revenue growth to support Arizona's mission of developing student-athletes into athletic, academic and life champions.