LEAD1 Association President and CEO Tom McMillen stepping down at the End of the Summer

McMillen stated, “I am immensely grateful for this opportunity to be deeply connected to one of my passions – college athletics. I want to thank all our athletic directors who have supported the LEAD1 mission during my tenure as President and CEO.  I would like to particularly thank Jack Swarbrick, who was instrumental in bringing me into the organization and reshaping our mission into an issues-oriented organization for FBS athletic directors and their departments. I’d also like to thank all our Board chairs during my tenure with LEAD1, including Rick George, Dan Radakovich, Heather Lyke, and Warde Manuel.”

“On behalf of the LEAD1 Executive Committee and our membership, I would like to thank Tom for his more than eight years of steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to our organization,” said Warde Manuel, Board Chair of LEAD1 and Director of Athletics at the University of Michigan.  “His visionary guidance has elevated our organization and profoundly impacted the landscape of college athletics. Tom’s legacy will be remembered as a testament to the power of passionate service and transformative leadership.”

McMillen will continue to fulfill the duties of the President and CEO in the coming months while actively supporting the transition for the next leader of the association. Leading LEAD1 since the end of 2015, McMillen, a former Congressman, college basketball All-American, Rhodes Scholar, and 11-year NBA player, has played a pivotal role in advancing the association’s objectives. LEAD1’s overarching mission is to bring together FBS athletic directors to develop consensus and to advocate and drive results on key issues that focus on the success of student-athletes and the advancement of college athletics.