Charlotte, NC: Over the last few months there have been several hires and promotions at the NJCAA National Office.
Holly Steuerwald - Director of Membership
Holly Steuerwald joins the NJCAA National Office in February 2025 as the Director of Membership Division. Steuerwald brings a wealth of experience, having spent the past fifteen years moving across the country with her husband before settling in North Carolina three years ago. Her background includes event planning, leadership, and relationship building through roles at the American Foundry Association, Texas Academy of Dance Arts, and Rapid Response Monitoring. Most recently, Steuerwald served as a Sales Manager at Maya Hotels, where she successfully organized two corporate events in a short period. Prior to Maya Hotels Steuerwald was the Development Director for Athletics at Gaston College in Gastonia, NC, where she created the Gaston College Rhino Club.
Outside of work, Steuerwald loves to travel and is already planning her family's next adventure. She enjoys country music concerts, dance and Broadway shows and cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats. Steuerwald and her husband, Michael, have three children: Harper (almost 6), Knox (3.5), and Baylor (8 weeks). Their family is completed by their beloved yellow lab, Magnolia, who is 8 years old.
Amanda Cover - Athletic Communications Associate
Amanda Cover joined the NJCAA National Office in October 2024 as an Athletic Communications Associate where she will be responsible for all the marketing and communications for Division II Sports, Bowling, Men's Lacrosse and Flag Football. Prior to joining the NJCAA Cover served as the Manager of Digital Marketing and Communications for the Queen City Soccer Club in Charlotte. Cover was responsible for media coordination with players and coaching personnel, writing pre- and post-game press releases and media summaries, as well as feature stories for the club. She also brings to the NJCAA collegiate media relations and sports information experience with stints at Mercer University and her alma mater Florida State University where she earned her Bachelor Degree and Master Degree.
Cover enjoys traveling domestically and internationally as well as photography.
Rebekah Cook - Athletic Communications Associate
Rebekah "Bekah" Cook joined the NJCAA National Office in October 2024 as an Athletic Communications Associate where she will be responsible for all the marketing and communications for Division III Sports, Swimming & Diving, Men's Wrestling, and Beach Volleyball. Cook comes to the NJCAA National Office from Total Apex Sports where she was a staff writer responsible for research and relevant sports stories. Cook covered the Los Angeles Dodgers during their 2024 MLB World Series run. Her other experience includes sales operations with the Carolina Panthers and as an athletic communications intern with University of South Carolina – Aiken Athletics where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Minor in Professional Writing. Cook played softball at University of South Carolina – Aiken and was a four-time NFCA All-American Scholar- Athlete selection.
During her spare time, she spends time playing the acoustic guitar as well as other unique instruments such as the ukulele and the harmonica. Cook would also like to help young softball pitchers perfecting there technique.
Zach McKinstry - Multimedia Manager
Zach McKinstry was promoted to Multimedia Manager in October 2024 and is responsible for managing the Multimedia Associates. McKinstry hosts content on the NJCAA Network and along with the multimedia team producing NJCAA championship clips and monitors championship streaming. McKinstry joined the National Office in March 2023 as a Multimedia Associate with years of broadcasting and production experience. McKinstry graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications, majoring in Broadcast Journalism with a concentration in Sports Media. In his time at South Carolina, McKinstry was among the first students in program history to serve as a play-by-play broadcaster for several Gamecocks sports on SEC Network. McKinstry has served as the play-by-play voice for three different Collegiate Summer League baseball teams, and as the Director of the Sports Network at NCAA Division II University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
McKinstry grew up in Matthews, North Carolina, and enjoys good food, beaches, and anything competitive. He was a part of the 2023 office bowling championship team and has organized NJCAA office basketball and beach volleyball recreation teams. In his free time, McKinstry freelances as a broadcaster on ESPN+ for several colleges in the region.
Ben Cutforth - Multimedia Associate
Ben Cutforth joined the NJCAA National Office in October 2024 as the Multimedia Associate where he will be responsible for assisting with content creation as well as the coordination of the production of NJCAA championships and events on the NJCAA Network. Cutforth graduated from Davidson College in May 2024 where he competed on the swimming team. Cutforth also served as the Creative Services Assistant for Davidson College since September 2021. In that role Cutforth was responsible for leading a team of students in the video and creative content for basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, baseball, soccer, and other special projects as well as creation of social media campaigns and its engagement and analytics.
Cutforth enjoys all categories of music both listening and composing and is a member of the NJCAA office recreation beach volleyball team.
Wolf Brethorst - Championship and Events Associate
Wolf Brethorst joined the NJCAA National Office in November 2024 as the Division III Championship and Events Associate. Wolf recently graduated from Winthrop University, where he earned a Major in Sports Management and a Minor in Marketing. Brethorst was a member of the Winthrop Men's Soccer team. While attending Winthrop, Brethorst worked in the Athletic Facilities and Operations Department, which oversaw all game-day logistics. He also interned with the Charlotte Independence on game-day operations.
Christopher Haley - Senior Director for Partnerships and Development
Christopher Haley is Senior Director for Partnerships and Development and leads the NJCAA's day-to-day efforts in revenue generation, sponsorships, licensing, branding, and serves as Assistant Executive Director of the NJCAA Foundation. Haley joined the NJCAA National Office in November 2023 as Director of Operations and Project Development and was promoted to Senior Director of Membership and Project Development in March 2024. In his previous roles for the NJCAA, Haley worked across multiple divisions, providing management and support in finance and data analysis, special events, strategic planning, membership management, and short-term and long-term special projects.
Haley came to the NJCAA following a successful 15-year career in the hospitality industry in private golf and country clubs. Haley served on and led high performing teams at private clubs in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and most recently, as General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of the Blackthorn Club at the Ridges in northeast Tennessee. When hired to lead Blackthorn in 2017, Haley was one of the ten youngest club executives in the nation. Following a successful six-year stint, he was recognized for his achievements and was named the 2023 Hospitality Leader of the Year by the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association.
Haley is a 2009 graduate of Virginia Tech and has a master's degree from James Madison University in Sport and Recreation Leadership. He has also completed professional education through the University of Houston, Georgia State University, Michigan State University, and Cal Poly Pomona.
Dr. Brett Monaghan - Vice President of Championship, Membership, and Sports Governance
Dr. Monaghan became Vice President of Championship, Membership, and Sports Governance in November 2024. Dr. Monaghan joined the NJCAA National Office in July 2024 after serving as the Athletic Director of NJCAA member Indian Hills Community College (IA) since August of 2015. He has also served as the school's Vice President of Student Development and Operations for the past three years. Under his leadership, the athletics department has grown its sport offerings through the debut of men's and women's wrestling, sports shooting, competitive cheer, dance, men's and women's track and field, and women's golf. The Warriors captured 11 national championships and amassed hundreds of academic All-Region and NJCAA All-Academic individual and team honors under his guidance.
Dr. Monaghan first stepped onto the campus of Indian Hills in 2012 when he was hired as an assistant baseball coach after previously serving as the head baseball coach at Iowa Wesleyan College. Before taking the role of Athletic Director, Dr. Monaghan served in several capacities including Director of Athletics/Student Services, Coordinator of Career and Pathway Education, and Executive Dean of Student Development and Athletics.
Dr. Monaghan has continuously committed his time and effort to the association and its student athletes and on a national level has chaired the NJCAA DI Softball Committee, NJCAA Wrestling Committee, and the NJCAA Sports Governance Committee. He has also served as the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference Regional Director, Assistant Regional Director, and Indian Hills Higher Learning Commission Committee Chair. Dr. Monaghan completed his sixth year as chair of softball, second consecutive year of women's wrestling, and first year as sports governance chair. He also served as the Women's Director for NJCAA Region 11.
Dr. Monaghan earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Northern Iowa and completed his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Iowa State University. In April of 2024, Dr. Monaghan was named the NJCAA Athletic Director of the Year.
Andrew Givens - Assistant Vice President for Marketing, Development, and Community Outreach
Givens became Assistant Vice President of Marketing/Media, Development, and Community Outreach and was named Executive Director of the NJCAA Foundation in November 2024. Givens joined the NJCAA National Office in July 2024 as the Assistant Vice President for Marketing, Multimedia, and Community Outreach, Givens leads and manage overall marketing and communications efforts of the NJCAA and its affiliate associations. Givens will also lead the partnership development for NJCAA, NJCAAE (ESPORTS) and the NJCAA Foundation. He will also deal with community engagement and assist with the implantation of national DEI initiatives.
Givens is one of the top strategic marketing, sales, and partnership individuals globally in sports, entertainment, government, and other industries. He has previously served as the Senior Corporate Development Strategist with WFAE 90.7 FM where he was responsible for creating strategic partnerships with clients such as Bank of America, Atrium Health, Truist Wealth, Charlotte University (formerly UNC Charlotte) and other businesses and organizations in Charlotte and the region. Prior to WFAE, he served as Director of Partnership and Marketing for the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, LA.
Givens previously served in roles such as Sports Editor for SET Magazine and Champagne and Beyond Magazine, Station Manager and Director of Sales at KMSS FOX 33 in Shreveport, LA, KLJB FOX 18 in Davenport, IA for the Marshall Broadcasting Group and WDAM NBC/ABC in Hattiesburg, MS with Raycom/Gray Television. Givens has developed partnership opportunities nationally and globally in his executive roles for ESPN Mobile, The Kaleidoscope Group, Department of Commerce, US Census Bureau and Networks such as HBO, STARZ Entertainment, BET, HGTV, Food Network and others.
Kerri Askew - Executive Assistant
Kerri Askew joined the NJCAA National Office in August 2024 and comes to the NJCAA National Office with over 25 years of experience in sports administration. Throughout her career, Askew has served in various roles including administrative assistant, team manager, group sales, merchandising, public relations manager, marketing director, facility manager, and homeschool mom. Her experience spans across organizations in college athletics, Arena Football, NASCAR, the YMCA and travel baseball. In addition, Askew has volunteered as coach and referee for Upwards soccer and basketball, served as a board member of Wesley Chapel Weddington Athletic Association, and volunteered as team administrator and team photographer for baseball teams.
Askew has a Master's in Sports Management from the United States Sports Academy, a Bachelor's in Business Administration with a concentration in Organizational Development from Mount Olive College and an Associates Degree in Paralegal Technologies from Pitt Community College.
In addition to her love of sports, Askew enjoys repurposing furniture, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. Askew is married to Arthur, who works for Tyson Foods, Inc. They have two boys, Luke and Dillon.
Carly Pitts - Senior Compliance Associate
Carly Pitts has been promoted to Senior Compliance Associate. Pitts joined the NJCAA National Office staff in March 2023 as the Compliance Associate. Pitts graduated from Belmont Abbey College, earning a bachelor's degree in Sports Management and a Master of Business Administration. During her time at Belmont Abbey, she was a member of the cheerleading program, the acrobatics & tumbling program, an active member of SAAC, and worked in the athletic department as a compliance and game day management intern.
Pitts loves anything sports related and is an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan. In her free time, Pitts enjoys traveling, anything crafty, exploring Charlotte with friends, spending time with family, & grabbing some Chipotle.