Two rising stars are assuming key positions on the William & Mary athletics advancement team. 
 
Aleyha Johnson, a current W&M staff member, has been promoted to Director of Athletics Annual Giving, and James Frey, currently the Director of Development for Kansas State University Athletics, has been named Assistant Athletics Director for Advancement.  
 
The announcement was made today by Jarrad Turner, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Advancement.  "As Tribe Athletics continues its upward trajectory, the addition of two individuals who have a great depth of experience in both fundraising and athletics, both professionally and as student-athletes, will only increase our momentum.  I'm delighted that Aleyha and James have agreed to fill these critical roles," he said.
 
Johnson joined Tribe Athletics in April of 2020 as the manager of athletics donor relations, and began working as Director of Athletics Annual Giving on April 10.  She will plan and manage Athletics' annual giving program, including working with Women in Action.
 
"I am incredibly excited to continue my career at William & Mary as the Director of Athletics Annual Giving," said Johnson.  "During my two years here I've seen firsthand the passion, support and love that members of the Tribe nation have for our student-athletes and each of our sports.  This is a wonderful opportunity for me to contribute to the bright future of W&M Athletics and I am very grateful."
 
The Raleigh, NC native attended High Point University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, and played forward on the Panther's women's soccer team.  She later earned a Master of Sports Leadership degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.
 
Before joining the staff at W&M, Johnson worked as director of development for the North Carolina Fusion youth sports organization and as a development assistant at Wake Forest University.
 
This spring Johnson was recognized by The National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) as part of its 15^th Annual Diversity Initiative Program.  She will receive a stipend to attend the 2022 NAADD Convention and the Fundamentals of Athletic Development sessions. 
 
As the newly appointed Assistant Athletics Director for Advancement, James Frey will be the connection between alumni, parents, friends, and fans to the Tribe's philanthropic needs. He will be responsible for building a high-level fundraising program to help secure the future of W&M Athletics.
 
"As soon as I arrived on campus, I resonated with the world-class culture, and I felt a tremendous sense of community, pride, and potential. Tribe Athletics embodies the perfect balance of an elite academic experience and competitive athletics programs - producing scholar-athletes of the highest caliber. After speaking with the athletics leadership team, I was all in, and it was clear to me there could be no better time to be a part of this wonderful university. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to building meaningful relationships with all the generous supporters of the Tribe," Frey said.
 
Frey will begin work at W&M on May 25. At K-State, he worked with the endowed and planned giving programs, as well as fundraising for the largest capital initiative in program history. 
 
Prior to K-State, he was senior director of major gifts at Appalachian State University; a development assistant at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and special assistant to the director of athletics at Central Connecticut State University.
 
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from Central Connecticut State University and a Master of Arts degree in business with a specialization in intercollegiate athletics administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. During his undergraduate days he competed for four years as a member of the men's track and field team.