Kristie Phillips, director of Annual Giving and Stewardship, joins the Athletics staff after spending 14 years as Tennessee Tech University’s director of Annual Giving. In that role she grew the program from approximately $250,000 to just under $1 million, handling annual gifts for all of the university’s colleges and schools. During her tenure, Phillips created and developed the ‘True to Tech’ loyal donors program, which has more than 5,000 members.

Phillips brings her passion for TTU and its athletics programs to her new position as she builds a successful annual giving and stewardship program. The daughter of former Golden Eagle standout fullback Ottis Phillips, she has been a part of Golden Eagle football since she was a youngster, carrying the flowers to the homecoming queen when she was two years old during her dad’s senior season when the team was playing for the 1972 OVC championship team.

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Phillips returned to Cookeville after graduating and went to work for TTU’s College of Business. From there she worked in newspaper, radio, public relations, advertising and promotions before returning to the university in 2001. Active in the community, she volunteers with several events throughout the year. A member of the original TSSAA Steering Committee for the high school state championships held at Tucker Stadium, Phillips chaired the Marketing Committee until 2015.