BERKELEY – Following the release of the Cal Athletics strategic plan, Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton announced a refinement of the department's organizational structure Thursday with the intent to ensure the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness in day-to-day operations and long-term planning.
 
"It is important that we have a strong department leadership structure that includes a diversity of perspectives, talents, experience and skillsets," Knowlton said. "As we begin to implement our strategic plan and the work the lies ahead, we want to have a solid foundation with cohesive and collaborative working relationships throughout our team."
 
Knowlton, who has served as Cal's AD since May of 2018, modified roles for several staff in leadership positions and has added three new members to his Director's Cabinet over the past six months.
 
Jennifer Simon-O'Neill has been elevated to Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director and Chief of Staff, where she will be responsible for managing day-to-day operations of the athletic department, including oversight of the sport administration program, and gender equity and Title IX compliance. In addition, she will maintain her position as Cal's Senior Woman Administrator.
 
Jay Larson, Cal's Senior Associate Athletics Director for Administration, has added management responsibility for all aspects of the football program, including operations, scheduling, budget, personnel, student-athlete experience and capital improvements. He will also continue to oversee the compliance and student services units within Cal Athletics.
 
Recent additions to the Director's Cabinet are Senior Associate Athletics Director and Chief Development Officer Brian Mann, Senior Associate Athletics Director and Chief Financial Officer Tom Lowry, and Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development Dr. Marissa Nichols.
 
Mann arrived at Cal in February after serving as CDO at Rice, and he previously held several development positions at Dartmouth, his alma mater. Mann played quarterback at Dartmouth, graduating in 2002, before embarking on a four-year career in the Arena Football League.
 
Before moving to Cal Athletics in June, Lowry operated in dual roles as Chief Financial Officer for Student Affairs and interim Chief Operating Officer for Residential and Student Service Programs at Cal since 2017. He had a 26-and-a-half year career in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a colonel in 2012, and was appointed to the Federal Government's Senior Executive Service in 2013, serving as the Chief Financial Officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
 
Nichols is the newest member of the Cabinet and will join the athletic department on Sept. 18.  Nichols spent the past two years as Director of Leadership & Career Development with oversight of the Bloom Family Leadership Institute at Boston University. She is a former NCAA Woman of the Year finalist and first-team All-American softball player at UNLV. At Cal, Nichols will become the first director of the Cameron Institute, a new program designed to support Cal student-athletes in leadership and personal development, career development and community engagement.
 
Cal Athletics announced its strategic plan last week, laying out a set of priorities, goals and objectives, as well as a mission, vision and list of core values to guide the department through the next five years.