Charleston, S.C. The Citadel Athletics Director Larry Leckonby announced the hiring of John McAleer as the department's first associate director for development on Monday. McAleer, the former director of development for The Citadel Foundation's stadium campaign and major gift fundraising for athletics, will start the new position on Monday, Feb. 2.
McAleer, a member of the Class of 1972, will oversee all of the athletic fundraising activities within the department of athletics with a focus on major gift fundraising. He will also continue to be involved with the marketing efforts for the suites and club level at Johnson Hagood Stadium, work closely with The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, the Football and Basketball Associations, and serve as the department's liaison with The Citadel Foundation.
“John McAleer is no stranger to The Citadel and he will be a true asset to the overall fiscal operation of our department of athletics,” said Leckonby. “John was more than instrumental in the opening of our football stadium's West Tower this past fall and he is well known among friends of The Citadel.”
McAleer has 35 years of business experience in engineering, construction and manufacturing. This includes five years as a vice president and member of the executive committee of Ashland Paving and Construction (APAC), with annual revenues of more than $2 billion. He spent 25 years with Fluor, a world leader in the engineering and construction industry.
At The Citadel, McAleer developed and implemented a successful marketing and sales strategy and management of the new executive suites at Johnson Hagood Stadium, while overseeing the same for the club seating area. He is responsible for bringing in more than $3 million in revenue in 2007 and another $4 million in 2008.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for me professionally and personally, and I am eager to be a part of the Department of Athletics and Larry Leckonby's team,” said McAleer. “We have much to be proud of at The Citadel and in athletics, in particular.”
A business administration major while at The Citadel, McAleer attended executive Education Programs at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, Duke's Fuqua School of Business, the American Graduate School of International management and The Buckley School of Public Speaking.
He is a charter member and past chairman of The Citadel's Civil Engineering Advisory Council, a board member of the Charleston Rotary (Breakfast) Club and board member of the Lowcountry Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He has also served as the Class of 1972's class chairman since 1993.
