GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Erin Mayes has been promoted to Deputy Athletics Director and Senior Woman's Administrator at Furman University, it was announced today by Jason Donnelly, Furman's Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics.
 
Mayes, a member of Furman's athletic department since 2020, was promoted from Associate Athletics Director for Business and Finance to Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator in 2023.
 
"We are honored to announce the promotion of Erin Mayes to Deputy Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator," said Donnelly.  "Erin has developed into an exceptional leader, consistently demonstrating the ability to take on complex responsibilities and guide them to transformational success. Her vision, work ethic, and collaborative spirit have made a lasting impact on Furman's campus community, our teams, and, most importantly, our student-athletes. Congratulations to Erin and her family on this well deserved honor."
 
"I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Furman in this expanded role," said Mayes.  "Our student-athletes, coaches, and staff inspire me every day, and I am excited to help advance our department's mission while supporting the growth of Furman Athletics. I look forward to continuing working alongside our campus and community partners as we build on the strong foundation already in place."

As the chief operating officer for Paladin Athletics, Mayes oversees finance, facilities, operations, and contracts, as well as serving as the department's Deputy Title IX Coordinator and liaison to Human Resources.  Among her other responsibilities are oversight of Furman's Sports Medicine and Sports Performance operations and sport supervisor roles for men's and women's cross country and track & field, women's basketball, women's lacrosse, and cheer. 

In addition, she serves as department representative to the campus Associate Vice President Committee, University Budget and Finance Advisory Committee, and Chair of the Southern Conference Senior Woman Administrator Committee.
 
Mayes has served as project manager for Timmons Arena, leading construction, design, and budget for the $40 million donor funded renovation that will culminate in its official opening at the ribbon cutting ceremony on August 25.  Her oversight of Timmons began with the Phase I renovation of men's and women's offices and locker rooms.

A finalist for Furman University's 2024-25 Staff Member of the Year, she came to Furman following nearly four years at the University of South Carolina, where in her final year there she served as manager of fiscal affairs, assisting the budget director in managing the Gamecock athletic department's $135 million dollar budget.
 
Specifically, her Gamecock athletics department duties included coordinating and reconciling all recruiting official visits and the department's revolving account; serving as purchasing card liaison; and overseeing recruiting and conference travel expense report approvals for administrative personnel, coaches, and staff.
 
She served as business operations coordinator her first three years at South Carolina and in 2017 assumed developmental duties associated with the Gamecocks' Beyond Sports Professional Development and Internship Program, which was designed to assist student-athletes in future success outside the competitive environment by providing real world experiences in their academic interests.
 
During her tenure at South Carolina she was recognized as a Bronze Award recipient for her work as a United Way Campaign Ambassador and also served as a campaign ambassador for the American Heart Association.
 
From 2014-16 she served as program development specialist and analyst with SunTrust Robinson Humphrey in Atlanta, Ga., where as part of the program management team she assisted in executing talent management and development strategies within the areas of corporate and investment banking.
 
Mayes began her professional career at Georgia-Pacific Professional as a sales force effectiveness event coordinator, managing events ranging from 20 to 300 people. 
 
A Columbia, S.C., native, she is a 2013 graduate of the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business, where she earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and finance.

Mayes and her husband, Aaron, are the parents of a daughter, Ellie.