Nov. 21, 2017
@UNLVAthletics
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV Director of Athletics Desiree Reed-Francois announced today the hiring of Marcus Bowman, senior associate athletics director/chief financial officer, and Michelle Edwards, associate athletics director for business services.
Bowman will oversee the fiscal and business operations of UNLV Athletics, responsible for strategic financial planning, the creation and implementation of capital and operating budgets, and the development and management of financial control systems. He will also serve as a member of the athletics department's executive staff, serve as a sports administrator and will oversee equipment services.
"We are pleased to have Marcus join our leadership team as chief financial officer and senior associate athletics director," Reed-Francois said. "A strong financial foundation is critical for our future growth, so that we can graduate leaders while winning championships. Marcus' financial acumen and experience at the highest level, coupled with his understanding of the student-athlete experience as a former basketball student-athlete, made him an ideal fit. We are looking forward to welcoming Marcus and his family to the Rebel team."
Bowman comes to Las Vegas from the University of Pittsburgh where he currently serves as the senior associate athletics director for sport administration. He started his career at Pitt in 2006 as director of business operations and several promotions have followed. He has also served as interim director of ticket operations, assistant athletics director for administration and planning, and senior associate athletics director/chief of staff.
In his current role, Bowman is a member of the athletics department's executive staff and oversees 10 of Pitt's 19 sports. As senior associate AD/chief of staff (2014-16), he assisted the athletics director in the day-to-day management of the department, oversaw strategic planning and special projects, served as liaison to the athletics committee of the Board of Trustees and served as a sports supervisor.
"I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to become a part of the UNLV family," Bowman said. "Under Desiree's leadership, and with the strong team that she has put in place, UNLV is poised for great success now and in the future. We will work tirelessly to build a strong financial foundation that will allow us to create many opportunities for Rebel student-athletes to achieve at the highest level."
Bowman works closely with the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers and has been instrumental in Pitt's efforts with football stadium lease negotiations. As director of business operations (2006-11), he was responsible for the preparation and management of the athletics department's budget and long-range financial planning.
Bowman earned his bachelor's degree from Pitt in 2006 in business administration (cum laude) with an emphasis in finance and a concentration in communication. He earned his master's degree from Pitt in 2010 in business administration.
Bowman was a student-athlete on Pitt's men's basketball team for four years (2002-06), earning a full academic scholarship to the university. Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, he and his wife Rhea, have two children, Brooke (4) and Lucas (1).
Edwards, who will report to the senior associate athletics director/CFO, will direct and manage the daily business operations for UNLV Athletics. She will also oversee the finance area's functions, including travel, equipment, contract processing and student-athlete scholarships. Additionally, she will be a member of the athletics department's senior staff.
"Michelle will be an excellent addition to our business and finance team," Reed-Francois said. "She has a depth and breadth of experience at schools both large and small, and a commitment to providing student-athletes and coaches with the resources they need to succeed. We are looking forward to welcoming Michelle and her family to Las Vegas."
Edwards was the associate athletics director for internal operations and the senior woman administrator at Saint Leo University in Florida, a position she held since 2014. She served on the athletics department's senior management team, supervising the overall operations of the department, assisting with the administration, fiscal management, resource development, personnel management and strategic planning.
"It is an exciting time to be a member of the UNLV Rebel family," Edwards said. "Desiree is a visionary leader and her commitment to excellence in all things is inspiring. This is an incredible opportunity to join an institution that strives for student-athlete success in the classroom, community and competition arenas. My family and I are eager to add to the vibrant Las Vegas energy and to become part of the UNLV team."
Edwards has also worked as director of compliance at Southern Methodist University (2014), the University of Georgia (2007-11) and California State University, Fresno (2005-07). She also worked in strategic marketing at ESPN, game day marketing for the NBA's Orlando Magic, and as a marketing assistant for IMG. She previously worked for the Southeastern Conference.
Edwards earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in 2002 in commercial recreation with a minor in business. She earned two master's degrees from the University of Central Florida in 2005, in business administration and sport business management. She and her husband Dustin, a former Division I basketball coach, have two sons, Grayson (5) and Ace (2).
