ALBQUERQUE, N.M. — Stuart Starner, former Interim President of the 12th Man Foundation at Texas A&M University and a 35-year veteran of college athletics has been named Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development. In addition, former Lobo quarterback Kole McKamey has been named Director of Major Gifts.
Both Starner and McKamey will begin at their new positions on Monday, April 6. With the two additions, Ed Manzanares has a new title as well, becoming the Assistant Athletic Director for Premium Seating and Special Projects.
“We are excited about the addition of Stu and Kole to the Lobo Family,” said Tim Cass, Chief Operations Officer for the athletic department and the head of the search committee. “Stu is a true all-star in the world of collegiate athletics and athletic development. He brings an incredible depth of experience, professionalism and passion to Lobo Athletics. Kole is a former standout student-athlete from the state of New Mexico and will bring a unique passion and purpose to his role in development.”
“The UNM Foundation is very excited to add two new members to its team of fundraisers,” said Larry Ryan, Vice President of University Development. “Stu brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will serve the Lobo Club and the University of New Mexico very well. To have an opportunity to hire Kole at the same time presents great opportunity. His talents in business and his passion for the Lobos as a former student-athlete will be a wonderful addition. I look forward to working with them both.”
Prior to his retirement in 2013, Starner served with the 12th Man Foundation at Texas A&M from 2005-2013. Most of that time was spent at the Senior Vice President Major Gifts, overseeing 33 full-time employees and oversaw not just major gift solicitation for the annual fund, ticketing operations and communications.
With Texas A&M, he served as the chief strategist for the planning stage of the $450 million Kyle Field Campaign. He oversaw the complete Campaign for Aggie Football which was designed to improve facilities as Texas A&M transitioned to the SEC. That $25 million campaign was completed in December of 2012.
Starner also managed capital programs for Olsen Field Baseball Campaign of $26 million and the Championship Vision Campaign of $162 million.
In October of 2012 he was named the Interim President and CEO of the 12th Man Foundation, serving as a spokesperson with the board of regents, university president and other campus entities. He also served as the 12th Man’s representative on the Texas A&M Development Strategy Council that reviews and approved all institutional fundraising requests. He also continued to manage his previous portfolio of major gift donors.
Starner has also served with the foundations at Eastern Michigan (Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the EMU Foundation, 2002-2005), Houston (Chief Executive Officer, 2000-2002), Montana State (Director of Major Gifts, 1998-2000) and Texas-San Antonio (Associate Director for Development, 1995-1998).
He previously served as the head men’s basketball coach at both UTSA (1990-95) and Montana State (1983-90). He graduated from Minnesota-Morris with a B.A. in history and education, and he was a 2006 recipient of his alma mater’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
McKamey, a former highly-decorated UNM quarterback that led the Lobos to a pair of Bowl appearances, has been tabbed as the Assistant A.D. for Major Gifts. McKamey brings with him eight years of experience in the business sector, including stops at Medtronic, Inc., Mountain West Medical and Turquoise Trail Physical Therapy.
In his latest stop with Medtronic, McKamey has served as Principal Territory Manager where is responsible for the overall revenue growth for New Mexico and West Texas, hitting that goal in his first year with the company at 123%. McKamey also was responsible for launching various products as well.
However, McKamey is best known as the quarterback for the Lobos from 2002-06, serving as a team captain. McKamey was the Lobos’ MVP of the 2004 Emerald Bowl in San Francisco and he was invited to the Shrine Bowl in 2006. He also was a two-time Mountain West Player of the Week.
McKamey is also known to Lobo fans as the radio color analyst for Lobo football from 2009-2011.