MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Athletics has announced the hiring of Jesse VerVelde as its new Assistant Athletic Director for Business Operations.
 
VerVelde brings extensive experience in collegiate athletics administration, business operations and financial management, having worked at the NCAA Division I and Division II levels.
 
In his new role, he will oversee the day-to-day financial operations of the Milwaukee Athletics department, including expense processing, purchasing, deposits, and budget management and development. He will also serve as the primary resource for department staff regarding University and Athletics business office policies and procedures.
 
"I am incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to join Milwaukee Athletics," VerVelde said. "Having grown up in Wisconsin, the chance to return home with my family and be part of an NCAA Division I athletic department means a great deal to me. I'm looking forward to building relationships with our coaches, staff, and campus partners while helping support the continued success of Milwaukee Athletics."
 
VerVelde most recently served as Assistant Athletic Director of Internal Operations at Saint Leo University in Florida, a position he held since July 2023. Prior to that, he spent two years as the school's Director of Athletic Operations and Events, providing oversight of game operations, facilities, athletic communications and special events while also managing the department's internal operations budget, purchasing, vendor contracts and expense tracking.
 
He also brings valuable experience in collegiate athletics financial administration from his time at Yale University, where he served as Business Manager from 2019-21. His responsibilities included providing financial support and reporting for the athletics business office, monitoring departmental spending, assisting with internal controls and coordinating travel logistics for the university's 34 varsity programs.
 
VerVelde began his career in collegiate athletics at Saint Leo, serving as a graduate assistant for business services from 2016-18 before transitioning into an assistant coaching role with the men's basketball program. His early responsibilities included reviewing athletic budget accounts, processing expense reports, purchase orders and requisitions, tracking departmental spending and assisting with NCAA and institutional reporting.
 
A native of Wisconsin, VerVelde earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2015. He later earned a Master of Business Administration in Sport Business from Saint Leo University in 2020. VerVelde is married to wife Ally, and the couple has two daughters, Charlie and Emilia. He began his new position with the Panthers on November 2.