Gladie Jaffe Promoted To Deputy Athletics Director

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Long Beach State Executive Director of Athletics Bobby Smitheran has announced the promotion of Gladie Jaffe from Senior Associate Athletics Director of Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives to Deputy Athletics Director for Operations and Strategy. Jaffe will oversee additional areas within the department including sport supervision of Men's Basketball.

In her new role, Jaffe will provide oversight for the management of multiple areas including external relations and general operations. She will be directly responsible for managing department operations within a strategic framework, focusing on increased departmental efficiency and competitiveness, resource and risk management, external engagement and partnership opportunities, sport oversight, and NIL initiatives, among many other duties.

"In her brief time at the Beach, Gladie has made a significant impact, introducing leadership concepts, integrating herself into the campus and Long Beach community, and developing strategic planning processes that will continue to enhance our revenue generation opportunities," Smitheran said. "In this new critical leadership position, she will provide the analysis and strategy necessary for making key organizational decisions to advance our department. I am grateful and excited to have her in this new role to build on the momentum she has already created."

Prior to her arrival at the Beach, Jaffe held the position of Chief of Staff for San Diego State Athletics. As a member of the executive leadership team, Jaffe provided strategic counsel to the Director of Athletics, supporting operations and management of budget, personnel policy development, external partnerships, and strategic initiatives. She managed a variety of special projects including but not limited to executive-level hiring, leadership development and staff engagement initiatives, conference realignment, and a major organizational structure redesign. Jaffe also had heavy involvement in both the opening of the Aztecs' new 35,000 seat multipurpose venue, Snapdragon Stadium, and engagement logistics for SDSU's run to the NCAA Final Four in 2023. Prior to the Chief of Staff role, Jaffe worked in various other administrative and instructional capacities at San Diego State University.

"It is an absolute honor to be offered this role to continue to support Long Beach State Athletics," said Jaffe. "There is no place I'd rather be than here working with Bobby Smitheran and this incredible team of staff, coaches, and student-athletes, in the wonderful community that is Long Beach. It is an exciting time at The Beach - opportunity is everywhere. I am excited to find new and innovative strategies to advance the brand, drive revenue, win in big and small ways, create transformational opportunities for success, and invest in the development of our amazing student-athletes."

Long Beach State University Athletics

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