Posted: Aug 01, 2017
AU Athletics has welcomed recent additions to its fundraising staff and has announced a restructuring of its alumni and special-events efforts. Chris Stewart and Matt Butta are new members of the Eagles' development team, and Emily Janson will join the group and assist in special events beginning this year.
"Coming off one of our most successful fundraising years ever, we feel these new staff members and changes in responsibility will enhance our fundraising efforts and organizational efficiency as we continue forward," said David Bierwirth, the Associate Athletics Director for External Relations.
"Chris and Matt bring great energy, experience and enthusiasm to their roles in support of our student-athletes' success - and our events, alumni and fans will all benefit greatly from Emily's passion and professionalism."
"I am excited to welcome Chris, Matt and Emily to our development team," said Dr. Billy Walker, Director of Athletics and Recreation. "I'm confident we can build on our momentum and carry that inertia into another record-setting year."
Stewart joined the university's Office of Development and Alumni Relations as the next Director of Development for Athletics and Recreation.
In this capacity, his sole focus will be to advance AU Athletics' overall fundraising message through the cultivation and solicitation of major-gift prospects on behalf of our student-athletes. He will also support our annual giving program through stewardship of current donors, introducing new donors to our program and helping administer Athletics integration in university-wide campaigns and appeals.
Stewart joins AU Athletics from The Woods Academy, where he held the position of Director of Development overseeing a $5 million campaign effort. His work in the field of advancement also includes The Chesapeake Academy (now Severn School) and the US Naval Academy Foundation.
He has an masters in sports management from the University of Kentucky and a bachelor's from Lenoir-Rhyne University, where he was a NCAA Division II basketball student-athlete.
Butta joins the department as the Assistant Director of Development with a primary focus on growing philanthropic support of our student-athletes and support programs through the Eagles Club.
Most recently, Butta worked for University of Virginia Sport Properties in sponsorship sales, game-day hospitality, and fan and alumni outreach. He gained development experience at James Madison University within their Dukes Club, from where he holds a degree in sport recreation and management. He also graduated with a master's degree in sports leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Janson, who began with AU Athletics in September 2016, takes on new responsibilities for the Eagles in special events and alumni relations. She will serve as the primary contact for department events including All-American Weekend, the Letterwinner's Reception, Stafford H. "Pop" Cassell Hall of Fame festivities, Eagles Club Hospitality and "Eagles on the Road" receptions at away games.
Janson joined the department from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where she was a financial services consultant. She holds a bachelor's in political science from the University of Notre Dame where she was a student manager for both the football and men's lacrosse teams.