App State Hires Chris Wood as Senior Deputy AD
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August 27, 2024App State Hires Chris Wood as Senior Deputy AD
August 27, 2024
Media Contact: Joey Jones (jo*****@ap******.edu)
BOONE, N.C. – App State has hired highly regarded athletics administrator and fundraiser Chris Wood as Senior Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Revenue Officer, Director of Athletics Doug Gillin announced Tuesday.
Wood, who has been the Vice President for Development and Sponsorships at the College Football Hall of Fame since 2022, will serve as a member of App State Athletics’ senior leadership and executive team and will lead all revenue generation efforts for the department.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Chris and his family to App State,” Gillin said. “Chris’ experience as a college athletics administrator and a vice president at the College Football Hall of Fame will be a great asset. As we continue to grow and enhance the App State student-athlete and fan experience, Chris will play an important role in our resource development.”
Wood’s college athletics resumé includes serving as Senior Associate AD for Development at the United States Military Academy in West Point (2020-22) and as Senior Associate AD of External and Internal Operations (2014-17) and Deputy AD (2017-20) at High Point University.
“I am beyond excited and humbled to be joining the team at App State,” Wood said. “Having attended college in North Carolina and spending so much of my career in the state, I have closely witnessed the growth and transformation of this university and athletic department. I am so thankful to Doug Gillin, Jonathan Reeder and the entire App State team for this incredible opportunity. My family and I cannot wait to move to Boone and become members of this great community.”
Before developing the College Football Hall of Fame’s philanthropy program that brought in multiple six-figure donations for the first time since its inception, Wood was the lead fundraiser for Army West Point’s athletics department and central development office. He helped secure three $15-million lead gifts and 10 seven-figure gifts toward the $145 million campaign to renovate Michie Football Stadium.
While at High Point, he oversaw all external operations and a number of internal operations of the athletics department and served as sport supervisor for several programs. His leadership efforts helped overall giving to the Panther Club see an 83% increase, while the number of Panther Club donors rose by more than 200%. He also saw corporate revenue increase by 50%. He helped lead all revenue streams for the $130 million Qubein Basketball Arena and Conference Center.
He began his athletics sales career with the Winston-Salem Dash, a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, in 2008, and ascended to the role of Vice President of Corporate Partnerships from 2012-14. He also served as an account executive for the Carolina Panthers during 2012 before returning to the Dash as Vice President.
Wood is a 2007 graduate of Wake Forest University with a degree in political science. He and his wife, Megan, have one daughter and one son.
What They’re Saying About Chris Wood
“Doug Gillin has made a phenomenal hire in Chris Wood. His ability to articulate a vision, build relationships and generate revenue will make him a welcome addition to the Mountaineer community. Chris is a great team builder, excellent communicator and will be a perfect fit for the App State family.”
– Army West Point Director of Athletics Mike Buddie
“Appalachian State has made an outstanding hire in Chris Wood, and I know he will be a great addition to Doug Gillin’s athletic department leadership team. During his tenure at HPU, Chris set revenue generation records in every fundraising category including annual giving, corporate sponsorships and ticket sales. Equal to his ability to maximize revenue generation, Chris is phenomenal at building relationships with donors and community members. App Nation just landed a star in Chris Wood, and I look forward to following the success he will bring to the Mountaineers.”
– High Point University Vice President and Athletic Director Dan Hauser
“Chris Wood has made a significant impact on the Hall of Fame since joining in May 2022. He is an excellent leader and a great partner in developing a fundraising department and team from the ground up. We will all miss him and wish him all the best in this new adventure.”
– College Football Hall of Fame President and CEO Kimberly Beaudin
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App State Athletics Strategic Communications
425 Jack Branch Drive
Boone, NC, 28608
www.appstatesports.com
