Geis Promoted to Senior Associate Athletic Director
4/19/2013 12:00:00 AM | General
Kent State University Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen has recently announced that Matthew Geis, associate athletic director, executive director of athletics advancement, has been promoted to senior associate athletic director.
"Matt is a valued member of our senior management team and this promotion is very deserving," said Nielsen. "He has built outstanding relationships with our alumni and friends, and I am looking forward to working closely with him and his team on our upcoming fundraising initiative."
A native of North Canton, Ohio, Geis earned his bachelor's degree in sports administration from Kent State University in 2001.
Geis began his career in development just a few months after graduation, serving as Kent State's Associate Director of Annual Giving from 2001-2005. Geis was then promoted to associate director of athletic advancement, where he successfully increased athletic annual fund dollars by 17 percent. After just one year, Geis was promoted again, this time as an assistant athletic director, director of athletic advancement. In his role, Geis developed the fundraising strategic priorities for the department of athletics, organized and managed The Golden Flashes Club Athletics Annual Fund, and implemented and organized donor based seating for basketball games.
After three years, Geis moved into his current position as associate athletic director, executive director of athletic advancement. He has assisted the athletics director with strategic planning and the overall management of the department. A member of athletics senior staff, Geis has organized, developed, and will lead the first Kent State Athletics $60,000,000 comprehensive fundraising initiative publicly launching May 3, 2013.
"It is an absolute honor to serve my alma mater and to work daily enhancing the University's mission and the athletic and academic pursuits of our student-athletes," said Geis. "I am thankful for Joel Nielsen's confidence in my leadership of our athletic advancement efforts."
Geis is also responsible for the organization and oversight of athletics volunteer leadership board – National Athletic Development Council. This leadership board has had significant influence and lifetime giving to Kent State Athletics.
In his 12 years with Kent State, Geis and his team has been responsible for over $30,000,000 in fundraising gifts and pledges.
