NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers staff is excited to announce three staff changes and promotions including the addition of a new assistant athletic director of business operations and an assistant director of academics.
Gene Durand is no stranger to the Lakefront, having spent the last three years on campus in the accounts payable department. Durand has also worked in different hotels in the New Orleans area since 2008.
Durand is a graduate of the University of New Orleans with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
"We are thrilled to welcome
Gene Durand in the role of Assistant Athletics Director, Business Operations," said Deputy Athletics
Steve Stroud. "Gene's experience on campus, as well as in the New Orleans hospitality industry, is a terrific fit for #NOLAsTeam. We're proud that Gene has chosen to put his University of New Orleans degree to use for the benefit of our student-athletes, coaches and staff.
Phillip Pinkston is the newest member of our Student-Athlete Enrichment squad. Pinkston was also a graduate of the University of New Orleans in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He received his Master's from Louisiana in Kinesiology in 2016.
Pinkston was most recently in Lafayette where he was the Director of Student-Athlete Services for three years. He also taught an Introduction to Sports Management course for two semesters.
"We are elated to welcome
Phillip Pinkston to our Student-Athlete Enrichment team," said Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services
Kirsten Elleby. "Phillip rose to the top of our list fairly quickly when looking for a leader for our academic services unit. His experience with supporting and motivating student-athletes academically make him the ideal individual to deliver a new level of excellence to our program-- and to top it all off, he is a UNO grad himself! I am truly excited to have him on #NolasTeam."
Aubrey Champion, who has been with the Privateer staff since 2019, was recently promoted to Director of Facilities and Maintenance. Champion has also served as Manager of Gameday Operations for the baseball, basketball and volleyball programs.
A Huntsville, Ala. native, Champion earned a degree from North Alabama where he was also the equipment manager for the football team.
"Aubrey has demonstrated extraordinary leadership skills that will help him excel as the new Director of Facilities and Maintenance," said Associate AD for Capital Projects
Kimberly Gallow. "We're excited about his promotion and look forward to providing a second-to-none experience for staff and student-athletes through facility maintenance and enhancements."
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