Announcement released to the media on 23 Oct 2015 by Mr. Troy Garnhart, Assoc AD/Communications
Friday, Oct. 23, 2015
Nancy Hixson named CEO of Air Force Academy Athletic Corp.
Hixson has been with the AFAAC since its inception
U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. – The Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation Board of Directors named Dr. Nancy Hixson Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Hixson, who has been with the AFAAC since its inception in 2013, had previously served as the interim CEO the last 10 months.
“I’m very pleased to have Nancy on board and for what she has accomplished and will continue to do as our CEO,” Theo Gregory, chairman of the board of directors, said. “Her leadership, experience and expertise navigating this very complex organization really shined through during this lengthy and thorough process. She has proven herself very adapt in leading this organization and interacting with other areas at the Academy. I’m excited for our cadets as well. They will continue to benefit greatly from the Nancy’s work.”
“We conducted a nation-wide search to determine the best person for the position and Dr. Hixson was selected because she embodies Air Force core values, understands the role of Air Force athletics in producing leaders and knows how to raise revenue to support athletics,” said Marilyn Thomas, chair of the selection committee. “With her past contributions to USAFA athletics and her leadership going forward, Nancy has already advanced the capability of fund raising for USAFA athletics and will only take it to a new high.”
Hixson is responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction for all areas of revenue generation for Air Force Athletics, including private donor fundraising, marketing, ticket operations, special events and the Falcon Team Store. The AFAAC annually generates more than $25 million in revenue to support Air Force Athletics.
“I’m pleased with the board of director’s recommendation of Nancy Hixson as the next CEO of the AFAAC,” Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson said. “I am confident Nancy will be the innovative leader who will continue to take the AFAAC forward as we partner together to develop the nation’s future Air Force leaders.”
“I’m very excited to have Nancy as the CEO of the AFAAC,” Air Force Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton, who is a board member, said. “She is a proven leader and has done a terrific job with the AFAAC during my tenure and I know we will continue to grow to provide margin of excellence opportunities for our programs.”
“I am forever grateful for the opportunity to lead this amazing organization and look forward to what the future will bring to the AFAAC,” Hixson said. “My sincere thanks go to the Secretary of the Air Force, Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson, the selection committee and the AFAAC Board of Directors for this appointment. I very proud to be a part ofthe phenomenal team at the greatest institution in the country and I look forward to continuing to serve our athletics department and our remarkable cadet athletes as CEO of the AFAAC.”
Hixson played a lead role in developing the strategic vision, mission and foundational goals of the AFAAC when it was established in 2013, working in close coordination with the Secretary of the Air Force, USAFA Superintendent, Director of Athletics and Board of Directors.
Prior to being named Interim CEO in 2014, Hixson served as Chief Operating Officer with the AFAAC and was responsible for directing the day-to-day operations of the company. She first joined the AFA athletic department in 2003 and has held a variety of positions with increased levels of responsibility.
From 2000 to 2003, Hixson served as the vice president of business development for a regional sports commission in Colorado Springs. In that position, she worked with community leaders, city officials, non-profit organizations and sport industry experts to generate resources and cultivate a favorable business climate for an industry that represents more than $200 million in annual economic activity. This resulted in hosting numerous national and regional sporting events and the creation of amateur athletic programs targeting under-served populations.
Hixson began her career as a sports administrator with the Texas Rangers Triple A affiliate in Oklahoma City as the Director of Marketing and Community Relations. During her three-year tenure, the team won its first American Association League Championship, hosted the Big 12 Baseball Conference Tournament and broke ground on a new state-of-the-art ballpark.
Hixson earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations and master’s degree in sports management from Southern Illinois University, where she was a four-year letter winner as a member of the women’s tennis team. In 2012, she earned a PhD in sport administration from the University of Northern Colorado and has since continued as an adjunct professor teaching graduate level sport administration courses.
Hixson is married to Geoff and together they have two daughters, Bryce and Avery.
