Wildcat Club Team

Suzanne Affeldt joined the University of Arizona Athletics Department in 2011. She currently holds the position of Associate Athletics Director for Development. Suzanne is responsible for increasing Wildcat Club memberships while securing major gifts for capital and scholarship support. In addition, Suzanne oversees the Annual Giving and Alumni Letterwinner (A-Club) programs, and serves as the sport supervisor for Beach Volleyball and Women’s Gymnastics. Suzanne began her tenure with Arizona as an Assistant Athletics Director.

Prior to joining Arizona Athletics, Suzanne spent 22 years in the Phoenix area working in both public and private sectors. Suzanne has extensive experience in fund development, grant writing, event planning, operations management, program development, and public relations.

Suzanne is an Arizona native and a University of Arizona graduate. She enjoys volunteering her time and serves on the Missions Council at her church and as the Operations Advisor for Kappa Alpha Theta. Suzanne and her husband Tom (also a UA grad) have three children; Jack, Megan, and Owen.

Chrissy Alexander joined the A-Club and Wildcat Club in January 2019 as the Assistant Athletics Director for Alumni Letterwinners and Development. Her responsibilities include day to day oversight of the A-Club Letterwinners Association and all alumni outreach as well as securing gifts for the Wildcat Club.

Prior to joining the Wildcat Club, Chrissy worked for IMG College, most recently as a Senior Account Executive working to increase sponsorship exposure and revenue for Arizona Athletics. An Arizona Softball letterwinner from 1996-2000 Chrissy won two Pac-10 Championships and was a part of the 1997 NCAA National Championship Team. She was named both the Raytheon Sport Woman of the Year and the City of Tucson Hispanic Sports & Academic Enrichment Player of the Year in 1999.

Chrissy and her husband Zach (UA Alum, 2001) have three children, Simone, Shane and Scarlett.

Steven Andrade joined the Arizona Athletics Department in 2015. Andrade’s current role is Associate Director, Development & Revenue Generation, where he is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and securing major gifts for the Wildcat Club. Additionally, he oversees premium seating areas of Arizona Stadium and Men’s Basketball Scholarship Row seating.

After being hired on with the Wildcat Club as a Development Associate, Steven was elevated to Coordinator of Major Gift Support Services in 2017 where he was responsible for all major gift reporting, tracking development metrics and ensuring the recognition of major gift donors for facilities.

A native of Northern California, Steven earned his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and a Spanish minor from the University of Arizona and will complete his Master’s degree in Legal Studies in the fall of 2020.

Connor Bravard joined the University of Arizona Athletics Department in August of 2017. Bravard’s current role is Associate Director, Development where he is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and securing major gifts for the Wildcat Club.

After being hired as a Program Coordinator for Annual Giving within the Wildcat Club, Connor was elevated to Coordinator of Donor Services & Stewardship in October of 2018. He was responsible for overseeing the Student Intern Program, coordinating stewardship efforts, assisting with the donor trips, and managing the day-to-day development needs.

Prior to Arizona, Bravard played football at Troy University while earning his bachelor's degree. He continued at Troy as a graduate assistant in Tickets and Development while completing his master's degree in Sport Management in 2017. Connor is originally from Des Moines, Iowa and is married to his wife, Erin.

Callista Elmore joined the University of Arizona Athletics Department in January 2012. Callista is currently the Director of Regional Development with the Wildcat Club. Her responsibilities include major gifts, annual giving, and increasing awareness and engagement throughout Maricopa County. Callista began her tenure with Arizona as a Development Assistant with the A-Club.

Prior to her development career, Callista was a two-time National Champion for the Arizona Softball team. She lettered four years at Arizona, won a Gold Medal at the USA University World Cup in Taiwan, then went on to play for the NPF Washington Glory. Callista was involved in many of our student-athlete programs including, P.A.L and S.A.A.B. In addition, she was a homecoming finalist, heavily involved in community service, and served as the Director of the Giving Tree.

Callista is a native Tucsonan and received her Bachelor's in History with a minor in Business Administration. She has Master's in Public Administration (MPA). She enjoys volunteering her time with local Little Leagues and Gabriel's Angels. Callista is married to Ricky Elmore, a former defensive end for Arizona. They have a son named Rekker.

Faith Morrison joined the University of Arizona Athletic Department in January 2019 as an Associate Director of Regional Development with the Wildcat Club. She is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and securing major gifts for the Wildcat Club in Maricopa County, as well as developing and maintaining relationships with a number of current Wildcat Club members.

Prior to joining Arizona Athletics, Faith worked for the Cal Athletics Fund at the University of California, Berkeley. Faith began her career in intercollegiate athletics at the NCAA National Office in Indianapolis, IN where she was a post-graduate intern in Law, Policy and Governance and later, a sport management fellow at the Pac-12 Conference Office.

The Leesburg, VA native attended the University of Washington where she received her BA in English and competed on the Washington Women's Gymnastics team. Both of her parents are Arizona alums; her father Darryl played football for Dick Tomey on Arizona's "Desert Swarm" defense and with the Washington Redskins. Her younger brother Sammy is currently a redshirt senior cornerback for Arizona Football.

Rosie Fernety joined the Athletics Department in March 2018 as an Administrative Associate for the Wildcat Club. In her role, Rosie provides customer service to donors, assists Development staff as need, assists with scheduling, preparing reports, and general office correspondence.

Rosie has been with the University of Arizona for over three years. Prior to that, she spent 25 years as a paralegal in the areas of insurance defense and medical malpractice. Tucson has been Rosie's home for the last 12 years. She is the proud mom of Gabby, a recent UA Eller graduate, and Kyle, who is currently attending UA.

One of the finest defenders in Arizona basketball history, Reggie Geary joined the Arizona Athletic Department in April 2019 as a Development Officer in the Wildcat Club. He is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and securing major gifts for the University, as well as developing and maintaining relationships with a number of current Wildcat members.

"Reggie has a tremendous history and connection with our athletics department and the University of Arizona that fuels his passion for being a Wildcat," UA athletic director Dave Heeke said in a statement. "The mission of Arizona Athletics is to educate and develop student-athletes into the future leaders of our community, and Reggie is an embodiment of that experience. His years of dedication to the Block A are a great fit with our Wildcat Club as we continue to provide a championship-caliber experience for all of our student-athletes."

Prior to joining the Wildcat Club, Geary was fortunate to spend the last two decades as a professional basketball player, in the NBA and overseas, and then as a professional coach. His coaching career started here at the University of Arizona working for Hall of Fame Head Coach Lute Olson in 2005. He returned to the UofA as an assistant coach with Coach Olson again in 2008. Most recently he spent six years as a head coach in Japan's professional basketball league, where he led his team to the 2013 BJ League Championship and was named Coach of the Year in 2012. Geary also enjoyed coaching stops at Southern Methodist University, in the NBA Development league (Anaheim, CA), and for three seasons at local Tucson high schools (Catalina Foothills, Salpointe Catholic, and Flowing Wells).

"My family and I are grateful for this awesome opportunity to be back at the UofA and continue to grow our roots here in Tucson," said Geary.

Before going into coaching Geary had a highly successful eight-year professional playing career that took him around the world. A second-round draft pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Geary played in 101 career games with the Cavaliers (1996-97) and the San Antonio Spurs (1997-98). Geary also played in the Continental Basketball Association before playing professionally in Israel, Portugal, France, and Ukraine. Additionally, Geary served as an NBA/NBDL Ambassador in Argentina and Brazil in 2001. He closed his playing career in 2003-04 with B.C. Kiev in Ukraine where he led his team to the championship round.

Geary was a four-year letterwinner for the Wildcats from 1992-96, 3-time captain, and earned all-Pac-10 Conference and NABC all-District 15 honors as a senior. Geary was the first of only two players to earn Best-Defensive-Player honors for four consecutive seasons by a vote of his teammates. In 1995-96, he led the Wildcats in both steals (67, a school record at the time) and blocked shots (24). During his UA career, Geary led the Wildcats to a 104-23 (.819) record, two Pac-10 championships (1992, 1994) and a berth in the 1994 Final Four. As a senior in 1995-96, Geary became just the third player in Arizona history to pass out 200 or more assists in a single season (231). He closed his career as Arizona's all-time steals leader (208) and ranked third in assists (560). He still ranks third and fifth in those categories, respectively.

A 6-foot-2 guard from Santa Ana, Calif., Geary was a standout prep athlete at Mater Dei High School, where he earned a total of six varsity letters (three basketball, two baseball, one track). As a senior team captain, he led the basketball team to a 34-2 record and berth in the CIF state championship game. Geary averaged 17 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks per game in earning first team all-state, all-city, all-county and Best in the West honors in 1992, and garnered Orange County and CIF Player-of-the-Year accolades. Street & Smith's named him a high honorable mention All-American (top 50 in the country).

Geary earned his B.A. degree in political science from Arizona in May 2005. He also worked as a property and casualty broker for Crest Insurance. He and his wife Candace have two sons, Quincy, 15, and Wesley, 11.

James "Jimmy" Gehrels was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona and joined the Wildcat Club and A-Club in May of 2018. In his role as Assistant Director of Alumni Letterwinners Jimmy works closely with all former letterwinners, participants and coaches to bring them back to campus and keep them involved in Arizona Athletics through programming and events. Jimmy received his BA in Sport Administration from Pepperdine University where he played four years of NCAA Division I Men's Volleyball. Prior to Arizona, Jimmy spent almost a year at the University of Florida working with Gator Boosters, Inc. and pursuing his Masters in Sports Management.

Ryan Hastings joined the University of Arizona Athletics Department in August 2015 as a Director of Development with the Wildcat Club. Hastings is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and securing major gifts in support of Arizona's nearly 500 student-athletes.

Prior to Arizona, Hastings was the Assistant Athletic Director for Development at Eastern Illinois. Hastings led all development efforts including the annual campaign, hospitality events, special events, and donor services. Hastings also managed the corporate sponsorship portfolio, oversaw the Panther Wheels courtesy car program, and served as a member of the senior staff.

The Mattoon, IL native earned his bachelor's degree in Recreation, Sport, & Tourism from Illinois in 2007 and his master's degree in Sport Administration in 2008, also from Illinois. The former Illini baseball standout was a member 2005 Big Ten Championship squad, and lettered the four years he competed.

Victor Iñiguez joined the Arizona Athletics Department in April of 2019 as Associate Director of Regional Development with the Wildcat Club. He is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and securing major gifts for the Wildcat Club in the Southern Arizona region, as well as developing and maintaining relationships with a number of current Wildcat Club members.

Prior to joining Arizona Athletics, Victor served in various roles with the Northern Arizona University Athletics Department, where he most recently worked as Manager-Business Development with NAU Lumberjack Sports Properties. He also had stints as a Graduate Assistant for Marketing and Promotions as well as a Development Assistant.

Victor is originally from Phoenix, Arizona and attended Northern Arizona University, where he obtained his BS in Business Economics and his Masters in Educational Leadership.

Judi Kessler began her tenure with the Arizona Athletics Department in April 1984. Kessler's current role is Associate Athletics Director for Major Gifts and Development. She is responsible for identifying, cultivating and securing major gifts for the Capital Campaign. With over 15 years of development experience, she played a key role in six major capital campaigns undertaken by Arizona Athletics including the state-of-art $72 million Lowell-Stevens Football Facility, the $30 million Phase 1 of the McKale Center Renovation Project, the $7.5 million Ginny L. Clements Academic Center, and currently, the 4+1 Facility Projects totaling $66 million, which includes the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center. Kessler is one of only a few staff to secure multiple million-dollar gifts for these campaigns, and over $40 million overall to benefit Arizona Athletics.

When Kessler initially joined the staff in April 1984, she was a bookkeeper and gift processor with the Wildcat Club. In October 1985, she was promoted to Coordinator of the Wildcat Club. From 1991-1997, Kessler was the Director of Priority Seating. In December 1997, as Director of Donor Relations and Priority Seating, her responsibilities were expanded to include overseeing the Wildcat Club priority-seating program, the parking benefit program, and coordinating the post-season ticket allocation for Arizona Athletics. In October 2002, Kessler became an Assistant Athletics Director for Wildcat Club and Annual Giving. She oversaw the annual giving program, the gift club level benefit program, and served as a development officer in helping to raise funds for Campaign Arizona.

Kessler was named an "Honorary Bobcat" by the University of Arizona in 1999, and has been a UA President's Club Member since 1988. She is a Tucson native and received her B.A. in business economics from University of California, Santa Barbara. Judi has a son, Mitch, and a daughter, Melissa, who are both recent graduates of the University of Arizona.

Phil Maben joined the Arizona Athletics Department in 2013. Maben's current role is Assistant Athletics Director, Development, where he is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and securing major gifts for the Wildcat Club, as well as developing and maintaining relationships with a number of current Wildcat Club members. Additionally, he manages the department's Courtesy Car Program and Basketball Scholarship Row seating.

During Maben's time at Arizona he has been an important part of two major capital campaigns undertaken by Arizona Athletics, the $30 million Phase 1 of the McKale Center Renovation Project, and the newly constructed $7.5 million Ginny Clements Academic Center.

Maben started with the Wildcat Club as a Development Coordinator of Donor Services where he oversaw all benefits, donor trips, and solicited annual gifts under $1,000. Maben's prior employment includes stints at the Tiger Athletic Foundation, Louisiana State's Athletic Department, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he held various development positions. Prior to his career in development, he started his career in athletics managing the Hillenbrand Aquatic Center in the role of Assistant Aquatics Director.

A native of Inglewood, CA, Maben moved to Tucson with his family when he was young, which is where he considers home. His career crossed paths with his wife's, Brandy Maben, former Arizona Swimming & Diving Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator. Phil and Brandy have two children, daughter Collins and son Miles.

Maben earned his BS in Sports Management with a minor in Business from Louisiana State University and his Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Arizona. He is an Honorary Letterwinner at both the University of Arizona and Louisiana State University.

Joe McLean joined the University of Arizona Athletics Department in January 2015. Joe’s current role is Assistant Athletics Director, Strategic Analytics and Revenue Generation, where he is responsible for securing major gifts for the Wildcat Club, as well as lead generation for the department and to facilitate and analyze ways the department can generate additional revenue. Additionally, he leads the Analytics team in the department.

Joe started with the Wildcat Club as a Director of Development where he was responsible for securing major gifts for three major capital campaigns undertaken by Arizona Athletics, the $30 million Phase 1 of the McKale Center Renovation Project, and the newly constructed $7.5 million Ginny Clements Academic Center and the recently completed $60 million 4+1 campaign.

Prior to Arizona, Joe worked for the University of New Mexico Athletics Department as their Director of Premium Seating where he oversaw all suites and club seats in "The Pit" as well as club seats for football. While at New Mexico, he oversaw all aspects of premium seating; customer service, retention and sales as well as the department's courtesy car program. Prior to UNM, Joe spent two years working with the Phoenix Suns as a member of the New Business Team and as an Account Executive.

Joe is an Arizona native. He was born in Prescott and grew up in Phoenix. In 2010, Joe graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelors in Business Administration from the Eller College of Management. During his time as a student Joe worked as an intern with the Wildcat Club and the outbound ticket office. Joe also has a Master's in Sports Administration from the University of New Mexico.

Joe and his wife Nicole have three sons, McKay, Hunter and Brigham.

A native Tucsonan and lifelong Wildcat fan, Gina joined the University of Arizona Athletics Department in 1992. Gina works in the Wildcat Club, coordinating the processing of the Capital Campaign and major gifts. She also supports the Marketing unit as an administrative assistant.

Gina's husband, Stephen, is a high school English teacher. Her daughter, Marina, is a Dedicated Recovery Coach with C.O.D.A.C. Both are proud Arizona alums.

Tom "Theo" Theodorakis is an ambitious, passionate, process-driven leader with over a decade of college athletics experience at the Division 1 level as an administrator, coach, and national champion student-athlete. Theo serves as the Associate Athletics Director for Development and as a sport liaison. He brings extensive experience in leadership roles in development, marketing, sales, events and public relations.

Theo was previously at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he served as the Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs and supervised the day-to-day operations of the development office, which yielded over $38M in annual support for UCLA Athletics in 2015 – the second highest total in the history of the University. Theo was an integral part of an accomplished staff that produced exponential growth in Westwood with the groundbreaking of two comprehensive training centers, the $75 million Wasserman Football Center and the $35 million Mo Ostin Basketball Center.

Prior to UCLA, Theo spent five years at the University of Arizona and was an important part of two major capital campaigns undertaken by Arizona Athletics, the state-of-art $72 million Lowell-Stevens Football Facility and the $30 million Phase 1 of the McKale Center Renovation Project – also serving as the Pac-12 conference representative for NACDA. Prior to Arizona, Theo had the distinct honor to work in the Marketing and Development office at the United States Air Force Academy charged with revenue generation for all Falcon Athletics programs and assisting with the initial plans for the $18 million Holaday Athletic Center - the largest privately funded capital project in the Academy's history. Theo also served as a volunteer coach on the Men's Lacrosse team.

A native of Stony Brook, NY, Theo earned a bachelor's degree and was a national champion student-athlete (Lacrosse) from Syracuse University and earned a master's degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Theo is also a 2013 graduate of the Executive Program of the Sports Management Institute and attended instruction at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and the University of Texas McCombs School of Business.

Carter Young joined the University of Arizona Athletic Department in December 2018 as the Coordinator of Development Operations & Benefits Fulfillment. His responsibilities include working with parking initiatives for The Wildcat Club and assisting the annual giving team.

Prior to joining Arizona Athletics, Carter worked for the University of Central Florida, where he was a Graduate Assistant in their Championship Resources Department. While at UCF he obtained his Master's in Business Administration and Master's in Sports Business Management. Carter is originally from Salt Lake City and attended the University of Utah, obtaining his Bachelor's degree in Business Management, while working as an intern in Utah's Athletic Marketing Department.