Little Rock Athletics Announces Hires, Promotions for Departmental Staff

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Little Rock Director of Athletics George Lee announced Tuesday a handful of administrative staff hires and promotions for the Trojans' Athletic Department.
 
Tuesday's announcement included three new full-time hires that filled preexisting vacant positions, three promotions of people already on the athletic department staff and the addition of six graduate assistants and interns.
 
"As we begin a new season and enter a new conference, I am excited to bolster our departmental staff," Lee said. "These additions will allow Little Rock Athletics to hit the ground running this season, providing the best experience for our fans at our events and supporting our athletic teams as they enter the Ohio Valley Conference and compete for championships in the new league."
 
New Full Time Hires
 
Cynthia Dedner, Assistant AD of Business Operations


 
Cynthia Dedner moves into athletics after spending the last several years as a budget specialist in the Chancellor's office at UA Little Rock. She enters the role of Assistant Athletics Director of Business Operations, where she will help manage the financials for the athletics department and its 15 intercollegiate athletic teams. Dedner will be responsible helping the department and its staff in navigating the continual transition to Workday. She began working with the department in July.
 
Dr. Wendy Ellis Jones, Director of Development


 
Coming from Miami where she was the Vice President of Operations for Honey Shine, Inc., with the Alonzo Mourning Foundation, Dr. Wendy Ellis Jones joins Little Rock's Team with over 18 years of non-profit and fundraising experience.
 
Michael Johnson, Director of Ticketing


 
Michael Johnson began his tenure as the Director of Ticketing in June, bringing ticket and sales experience from the Division I level, minor league baseball and from the private sector. He is no stranger to the Capital City, having worked with the Arkansas Travelers and has spent time at Arizona, North Florida and Wyoming throughout his career.
 
Staff Promotions
 
Phillip Blake, Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development and Retention


 
Formerly a graduate assistant in the Compliance and Academic Services department, Blake was promoted to Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development and Retention in August. He will primarily work with the men's and women's basketball teams.
 
Justin Early, Director of Facilities and Game Operations

Previously the Assistant Director of Facilities and Game Operations, Justin Early was promoted to the director's position in late spring/early summer. He oversees Little Rock's athletic facilities and game operations management and is the main point of contact for external entities wishing to reserve and rent any of the athletic facilities on campus.
 
Patrick Walsh, Director of Communications and Brand Strategy
 


Patrick Walsh has served as the Associate Director of Communications since 2019 and was promoted to Director of Communications and Brand Strategy in August 2022. He remains the main point of contact for Little Rock's volleyball, women's basketball, cross country and track and field programs while expanding his role in marketing and brand strategy and management efforts. Walsh came to Little Rock with prior Division I experience at The Citadel, Indiana State, Louisiana Tech and Mercer and earned his Master of Business Administration from UA Little Rock in May 2022.
 
Other New Hires
 
Lee also announced several other new hires for non-full-time roles within the athletic department. Everyone in these roles began their tenure at Little Rock in August.
 
Hunter Glaze, Marketing and Development Assistant
 
Hunter Glaze comes to Little Rock after graduating from Texas Tech in May. He has experience in the academic services department at Texas Tech and in the compliance department at Lubbock Christian. At Little Rock, he will work with the department's marketing and development efforts, including group sales and promotions.
 
Ben Harvey, Marketing and Development Assistant
 
A former basketball player at Southern Illinois and Eastern Illinois, Ben Harvey joins the athletics department after graduating from SIU in May. At Little Rock, he will work with the department's marketing and development efforts, including group sales and promotions.
 
Victoria Heim, Video Production Coordinator
 
Victoria Heim comes to Little Rock with experience at Ole Miss and KATV. She will be responsible for the department's video efforts in highlights, marketing and game promotion.
 
Austin Smith, Communications Assistant Director
 
Austin Smith, formerly a pitcher for Little Rock's Team, joins the communications department as an assistant director. He will serve as the main point of contact for the baseball and soccer programs.
 
Logan Stapleton, ESPN+ Coordinator/Producer
 
Logan Stapleton joins Little Rock's Team after graduating from UT Chattanooga. He will serve as the producer and main coordinator of Little Rock's ESPN+ productions.
 
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