The National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women announced Wednesday that Heather Perry has been hired as executive director and Dr. Bobbie Cesarek will continue as president.

The NACGC/W Board of Directors hired Perry as executive director to focus on creating a sponsorship program, marketing the sport and increasing television opportunities for collegiate women’s gymnastics.

“We are thrilled to welcome Heather as the executive director of the NACGC/W,” Carey Fagan, head coach at Ohio State University and chair of the NACGC/W Board of Directors, said. “Heather brings a wealth of experience and will play an essential role in helping promote our organization. We believe there are significant sponsorship opportunities that Heather will put in to place to help grow our organization through the changing landscape of NCAA Athletics.”

Perry has 17 years of experience working in college athletics, including eight years as the Pac-12’s liaison for women’s gymnastics and four years on the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Committee. She lives in Pierre, S.D.

“My first priority is to start looking for revenue streams to help the coaches promote and grow women’s gymnastics,” Perry said. “Television is interested in covering more women’s gymnastics, and it is sure to be a highlight at the upcoming Olympic Games. I hope we can harness the interest and enthusiasm to create a great experience for current and future collegiate gymnastics student-athletes.

Dr. Cesarek, who has been serving as the president since 2010, was re-elected by the membership at its 2016 Convention, May 9-11 in Fort Worth, Tex. Her term is two years. She previously served as the head women’s gymnastics coach and associate athletics director at Northern Illinois University; she now splits her time between Louisville and Sun City Center, FL.

“I am so pleased that Heather has joined the NACGC/W family! I respected her enthusiasm and work ethic on behalf of our sport when she served on the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Committee; I am looking forward very much to working with her and supporting her efforts to move our association forward over the next few years” Cesarek said upon learning of Perry’s hire.

NACGC/W members represent institutions in each of the three NCAA divisions. The Association conducts committee work throughout the year supporting its continuing initiatives to develop rules and policies with an equitable and exciting competitive experience in mind; facilitate the growth of gymnastics at all levels and encourage diversity through the education of both administrations and communities; and, finally, promote the successes of its student-athletes, all while the members themselves act a mentors and develop role models.