The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga announced Friday it has hired a search firm and put together a 12-person committee tasked with hiring a new athletic director.
Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search has been awarded the responsibility of guiding the process to replace former UTC vice chancellor and athletic director David Blackburn, who resigned June 13 after four years in the position.
Debbie Ingram, UTC's physical therapy department head and the university's faculty athletics representative, will chair the committee. According to a school release, "the committee will work quickly, but no formal timetable is set for a hiring announcement."
Also on the committee: senior associate athletic director Jay Blackman; community member Lewie Card; chancellor chief of staff Terry Denniston; women's basketball coach Jim Foster; Tennessee system trustee Vicky Gregg; senior associate athletic director Laura Herron; Student Government Association vice president Drew Keil; UTC alumni board president Donna Lawrence; community member and former basketball player Herbert "Book" McCray; faculty senate president Gretchen Potts; alumnus and community member Ron Wade.
According to a complete position description provided by Parker Executive Search, the new athletic director will be in charge of 15 varsity sports and operate a staff of approximately 85 employees with a budget of $16 million annually. Candidates will be required to have a minimum of five years of professional work experience with knowledge in managing athletics departments, the ability to build and maintain relationships with a variety of constituents in a diverse community, and the skills to communicate effectively, both written and oral, through a variety of media, among others.
The search firm has asked that applications be submitted by July 27.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.