The Augusta Sports Council’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that it has named Michelle Naval as its new Chief Executive Officer effective November 2021. She succeeds Brian J. Graham who led the organization since 2019.

An 11 year employee, Naval began at the ASC as an intern and later in roles as Project Assistant, Community Affairs Coordinator and most recently Operations Manager. For the last two years as Operations Manager, she was responsible for serving as the organization’s resource liaison to over 70 local community sports groups and tourism partners, recruiting and managing 2,000+ volunteers annually for signature and local sporting events, coordinating event logistics, and working to recruit new and regional events to the Augusta area. Naval also serves as the Volunteer Director for the annual IRONMAN 70.3 Augusta event.

"Michelle has experience in all facets of the organization and brings a unique perspective to the position," said Bob Evans Augusta Sports Council Board Chairman. "She has worked extensively with event staffs and community partners to support and expand sports tourism in Augusta.  We are excited about the Augusta Sports Council growing under Michelle’s leadership."

Naval is a native of the Augusta area and a 2010 graduate of Augusta State University with a BA degree in Communications. She received her Sports Tourism Strategist (STS) certification from Sports Events and Tourism Association (Sports ETA) in 2020.

Naval said,"I am extremely grateful and excited to begin my time as CEO for the Augusta Sports Council. I look forward to continuing the organization's mission and growth for the Augusta community.