Alan Thomas

Associate Athletic Director for External Operations

Alan Thomas re-joined the UGA Athletic Association in July of 2004 as Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and was promoted to Associate Athletic Director for External Operations in September of 2005. In his current duties he directs the UGAA's marketing and promotions, development and licensing programs as well as maintains contract oversight with the UGAA broadcasting, sponsorship and internet partners. Previously, he had been an Assistant Director of Development in 2003 and also a Development Coordinator and Major Gifts Officer for the University during the 2001-02 year.

Thomas came to Georgia most recently from Litchfield, Ill.-based sports equipment manufacturer Schutt Sports where he directed the company's licensed product business.

From 1994-2001 Thomas served at Auburn University, first as Director of Marketing and later as Assistant AD and then Associate AD for Marketing and Promotions.

A native of Converse, Ind., Thomas is a 1992 graduate of the University of Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in Journalism & Advertising. While at UK, he ran for four years on the Wildcats' track and cross country teams, was a Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll selection and also served as a member of the SEC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Thomas earned his master's in Sports Administration from Ohio University in 1993.

Thomas is married to the former Jane Belanger, former UK volleyball player and Assistant Volleyball Coach at Georgia. The couple has two children: Alex, 7, and Mara, 5.

Carolyn Center

Director of Development

As Director of Development Carolyn manages the departments annual giving functions associated with the three annual funds: Basketball Enhancement Fund, Gymnastics Endowment Fund and William C. Hartman Jr. Fund. Carolyn’s responsibilities include coordination of all priority seating for development including the regular and post season as well as oversight of premium seating including Football Suites, Club Levels and Basketball Courtside Seating.

Carolyn began her work with the Athletic Association as Development Coordinator in the summer of 2006. Prior to her arrival at the Athletic Association she began her work in collegiate athletics in various capacities at North Carolina State University. Her work with the Senior Women’s Administrator included assisting with the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament First and Second Rounds and Eastern Regional, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament First and Second Rounds as well as serving on the Athletic Department’s Gender Equity Committee.

Carolyn’s work as a Program Assistant at the NC State Wolfpack Club included assisting donors with membership, sales of lifetime seating rights, oversight of a volunteer representative network of 540 and design of materials including renewals, acknowledgement pieces, membership packages and the Annual Report.

From the NC State Wolfpack Club Carolyn served as an Associate Director at the University of Louisville Cardinal Athletic Fund from 2004-2006 where she was responsible for the external affairs of the Athletic Departments annual giving. Her work included stewardship and cultivation of donors, marketing of the annual fund, development of the marketing materials, design and implementation of a Volunteer Representative Network and administration of Men’s Basketball Season Tickets. In addition, she served as the Assistant Tournament Manager for the BIG EAST Volleyball Tournament and NCAA Volleyball First and Second Rounds.

Prior to her work in college athletics Carolyn worked in professional athletics at the Commissioners Officer for Major League Baseball in New York City and the Triple A Baseball Team Norfolk Tides.

The native of Westport, CT earned a B.A. in Leadership Studies from the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond in 1999 as well as a Master’s Degree in Sport Management from North Carolina State University in 2003. She played Basketball at the University of Richmond and professionally in Northampton, England.

Steve Farmer

Director of Capital Support

Steven Farmer joined the Athletic Association staff in August of 2002 as a Major Gifts officer. Steven's responsibilities include the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of private and corporate financial support for the Athletic Association.

Before joining the UGA Athletic Association, Steven worked for the Tulane Athletics Department for three years (1999-2002). He first went there as a business office intern, then was hired full-time as the assistant business manger for the Athletics Department. Steven then moved to the Tulane Athletics Fund (TAF) Office as a Revenue Development Officer. In March of 2002, Steven was named Director of TAF.

The native of Rome, GA, earned his bachelor's of business administration in Finance from UGA in 1998, and a master's of education in sports management, also from UGA, in 2000. Steven was a manager on the football team in 1996 and 1997 and a graduate assistant in the football equipment room in 1998. Steven is married to the former Leslie Browning, a former Redcoat, from Alamo, GA.

Barbara Hartman Howell

Assistant Director of Development, Annual Fund

Barbara Hartman Howell joined the Georgia Student Educational Fund staff in 1986 and became an employee of the Athletic Association in July 2000 when the fundraising arm of athletics was taken under the umbrella of UGAAA. Barbara develops and coordinates internal activities with the major gift as well as annual gift cultivation, solicitation and stewardship process. Her responsibilities also include maintaining and coordinating all naming opportunities.

Barbara began her career as an assistant to Leonard Postero and the Leonard’s Losers Radio Show. She was an office assistant for the Georgia Student Educational Fund and became Assistant Director. Barbara worked closely with area Georgia Bulldog Clubs and coordinated the Bulldog Road Tour as well as directed solicitations for the Georgia Educational Enhancement Fund, the Georgia Basketball Enhancement Fund, and the Gymnastics Endowment Fund.

A native Athenian, Barbara earned an ABJ from the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism, University of Georgia, in 1973. Barbara has a son, Stuart, 18. We will always remember her daughter, Amanda.

Mike Cavan

Major Gifts Officer

Former University of Georgia quarterback Mike Cavan joined the UGA Athletic Association Development Office as a consultant in August, 2002.

Cavan, who over the past 16 years has served as head football coach at Valdosta State, East Tennessee, and SMU, is a former star quarterback for the Bulldogs from 1968-70. As a sophomore in 1968 he led Georgia to an 8-0-2 record, the Southeastern Conference championship, and berth in the Sugar Bowl. He was named to the All-SEC Sophomore team by the Associated Press outpolling such stars as Archie Manning at Ole Miss and Scott Hunter at Alabama.

He served as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs from 1975-85 after two seasons as a graduate assistant. Cavan served as head coach at Valdosta State from 1986-91; East Tennessee from 1992-96; and SMU from 1997-2001.

He is married to the former Becky Pittard of Duluth, Ga. They have two grown children who live in Dallas, TX.; Son, Michael and daughter Mima, who is married to Chase Schavrda with one son Charlie.

Jay Lowe

Major Gifts Officer

Jay Lowe was named Major Gifts Officer with the Bulldog Club in February 2008, making his return to the University of Georgia Athletic Association. His responsibilities include identification, cultivation and solicitation of private and corporate financial support for the Athletic Association. Prior to rejoining the Athletic Association, Lowe was serving as the assistant director of development at Miami University in Oxford, OH, raising both annual funds and major gifts for the Red and White Club.

While earning a bachelor’s of arts in journalism from UGA, Lowe served as a student-assistant in the Athletic Association’s Sports Communications office. In 1999, Lowe was awarded a graduate assistant in Event Management from the Athletic Association and began work on his masters of education in sports management. Following completion of his master’s degree, Lowe served as operations assistant at Wake Forest University from 2000-2002. In mid-2002, Lowe accepted the position of event manager and football travel coordinator at Northern Illinois University from 2002-2003. Already having ties to the Southeastern Conference, Lowe then served as Director of Operations and Facilities in Vanderbilt University’s Department of Student-Athletics from 2003-2007.

Born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC, Lowe is married to the former Courtney Alexander (BSEd ’05) of Lawrenceville, GA. They live in Athens with their three dogs, Salem, Sherman and Yoda.

Amanda Bennett

Administrative Associate

Amanda Bennett joined the Athletic Association staff full time as an Administrative Associate to the Associate Athletic Director for External Operations in April of 2006. Amanda manages administrative needs for the Associate Athletics Director for External Operations. Her responsibilities with The Georgia Bulldog Club include assisting with gift processing, maintaining donor and athletics fund files, as well as day to day donor support. In addition, Amanda is responsible for assisting the Director of Capital Support with all functions related to the Scholarship Endowment Program.

Amanda began her work with the Athletic Association part time in 2004 as an intern for The Georgia Bulldog Club. Prior to her work with the Athletic Association she served as a Marketing and Promotions Intern for the Nashville Sounds Baseball Team during their 2003 season and a Season Ticket Sales Account Executive for Spurs Sports & Entertainment in San Antonio, Texas.

A native of Watkinsville, GA and a 1998 graduate of Oconee County High School, Amanda earned a BSED in Sports Studies from the University of Georgia in 2002, and she is married to Shaun Bennett of Athens, GA.

Dolores Hughes

Gift Receiving Manager

Dolores Hughes began her role as Gift Receiving Manager in 1990 after spending nine years working part time in both the Athletic Ticket Office and the GSEF/Bulldog Club.

Dolores processes and manages all matching gifts for the William C. Hartman Jr. Fund, the Gymnastics Endowment Fund and Basketball Enhancement Fund. Her responsibilities include entering donations for all three annual funds, tracking donations, updating data entry, maintaining donor fund files as well as day to day donor support.

An Athens native, Dolores graduated from Athens High School and Athens Technical College. She is married to Ned Hughes, also of Athens and they have a daughter, Denise, a 1995 graduate of the University of Georgia.

Jane Jones

Office Manager

Jane joined the UGA Athletic Association in 1986 working with the football coaching staff. She was also Administrative Secretary in Football Recruiting and with the head football coach before joining the Bulldog Club as an administrative assistant in 1994.

Her present responsibilities in the External Operations office include management of daily activities within the office, processing expense reports and invoices while monitoring the budget. Processing ticket priority contributions for football, gymnastics and men's basketball. And any assists with any projects needed by the overall External Operations staff.

Jane is a native of Athens where she attended Athens High School and the University of Georgia. She has three children, Kimberly, Cheryl and Charles and four grandchildren.

Jana Stough

Graduate Assistant

Jana Stough began her graduate assistantship with The Georgia Bulldog Club after spending the previous year as a Development Intern with the University of Georgia Athletic Association. As a Graduate Assistant, Jana oversees the G Club, assists donors with membership, ticket priority and benefits of annual giving, aides in the coordination of the scholarship endowment weekend and student athlete thank-a-thon and maintains georgiabulldogclub.georgiadogs.com.

Prior to her role with UGAA, Jana was a communications intern with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). While at NACDA, Jana aided in the operations of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA), generated the U.S. Sports Academy Directors’ Cup standings and wrote feature articles for Athletics Administration. She also assisted in the planning and execution of the 43rd annual NACDA Convention.

Jana is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, where she earned her bachelor of arts degree in communications. In her four years at Wisconsin, Jana worked as a student assistant in the athletics communications office, where she was the primary media relations contact for the Badger wrestling program. Jana also interned for the Milwaukee Admirals of the UHL hockey league and volunteered for numerous Big Ten and NCAA events.

Jana is a native of Oregon, Wis.

Bethany Hawkins

Director, Georgia Athletic Hospitality

Bethany began working with The Bulldog Club in February of 2009 after the UGA Athletic Association teamed up with The Colonnade Group to manage its premium seating areas. Bethany manages all day-to-day as well as game day operations for the premium seating areas (Sanford Stadium SkySuites, SkyClub, Champion’s Club, Stegeman Coliseum Courtside Club and Hospitality Room, and Gymnastic Hospitality). Also included in Bethany’s scope of work are facility rentals for the Athletic Department.

Bethany joined The Colonnade Group as an intern in the Bulldog Suites office, The Colonnade Group’s university office in Starkville, Miss. She most recently served as the Assistant Hospitality Director for TCG’s office at the University of Tennessee, where she was instrumental in opening that office in its inaugural year.

A native of Gulf Shores, Alabama, Bethany graduated with honors from Mississippi State University with degrees in Marketing and Sports Communication.

Michelle Blair

Georgia Athletic Hospitality Intern

Michelle Blair began interning for Georgia Athletic Hospitality in March 2009 after the UGA Athletic Association teamed up with the Colonnade Group to manage its premium seating areas. As a recent student athlete graduate from UGA with a major in Landscape Architecture, Michelle could not find herself leaving athletics.

A native from Calhoun, Georgia, Michelle was a member and captain (2007-2008) of UGA Varsity Equestrian team from 2004-2008. She competed in the Hunt Seat discipline and was voted MVP her senior season in 2008. She was also undefeated in the 2008 Nationals held in Waco, Texas helping the team clinch the Overall National Championship.

Blair returned for the 2008-2009 season assisting head coach, Meghan Boenig, as a student athlete assistant coach where UGA clinched yet 2 more National titles (both in Hunt Seat and Overall).