Whitfield was selected last month by the NFHS Board of Directors to be the seventh full-time executive director in the 107-year history of the NFHS. He has served as the organization’s chief operating officer for the past 11 years.
Koski has been on the NFHS administrative staff since 2007, including the past six years as chief marketing officer. In his new role, Koski’s responsibilities will be oversight of the NFHS’ legislative affairs and advocacy strategy. He will work to align policy resources, legislative campaigns and messaging with the NFHS mission, strategic priorities and the needs of member state associations.
“Mark brings an exceptional understanding of the NFHS, our member state associations and the rapidly changing environment in which education-based athletics and activities operate,” Whitfield said. “His experience, relationships and strategic perspective make him well-positioned to lead our external affairs efforts and strengthen our advocacy on issues that directly affect state associations and the schools they serve. I look forward to continuing to work alongside him in this expanded leadership role.”
Koski will lead integrated external affairs planning, encompassing legislative advocacy, national research and data strategy, marketing, revenue-generating programs, corporate partnerships, events, development, the NFHS Foundation, and NFHS Network-related engagement. He will continue to serve as vice president of the NFHS Network and as the NFHS’ primary liaison to the NFHS Network.
In addition, Koski will become president of the NFHS Foundation, leading its staff and board in support of the NFHS’ strategic priorities, development goals and external affairs initiatives.
“I am honored to take on this expanded role working alongside Davis, our staff, Board of Directors and member state associations to move the NFHS forward,” Koski said. “The issues facing education-based athletics and activities are increasingly complex, and I look forward to strengthening our legislative engagement, aligning our external affairs strategies and ensuring the NFHS remains a strong and effective advocate for state associations, and the students and schools we serve.”
In other changes at NFHS, Kyle Mills was appointed assistant director of executive affairs. In this position, Mills will direct and manage the daily operations of the Office of the Executive Director, and he will add new responsibilities in the areas of affiliate membership, NFHS Foundation administrative leadership support, as well as NFHS Network HoldCo administrative support. Mills has served as manager of executive affairs to the chief operating officer for the past two years. He joined the NFHS in 2019 and served as a coordinator and manager in the NFHS Performing Arts Department for five years.
“Kyle has distinguished himself as one of the brightest and most capable professionals in our organization,” Whitfield said. “His exceptional work ethic, outstanding attitude and commitment to excellence have earned this well-deserved promotion to assistant director of executive affairs.”
In alliance with Whitfield’s title shift from chief executive officer (CEO) to executive director, he announced title changes for two other administrators: JoAnne Bennett is now associate executive director – finance, and Mautrice Meriweather is now associate executive director – human resources. Also, with the creation of the deputy executive director position, Whitfield said the chief operating officer (COO) position would be eliminated and that a new position would be created in the future to assume some of the previous responsibilities of the COO.
Images courtesy NFHS
