Commissioner's Office
Leon G. Kerry
Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
Leon G. Kerry is commissioner and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Formerly the business manager, he was promoted to commissioner in 1990. Commissioner Kerry has guided the 97-year old CIAA conference to unprecedented success through a combination of savvy marketing, innovative technology and corporate sponsorships.
- In 2005, Kerry brokered a contract with ESPN that made the CIAA Tournament the first NCAA Division II conference tournament televised as part of ESPN's Championship Week.
- He has partnered with local and regional media outlets to have CIAA games broadcast in syndication on FOX, UPN, and WB affiliates.
- Under Commissioner Kerry, corporate sponsor retention rate is a phenomenal 93 percent over the past 20 years. Corporate partners have enabled Kerry to secure $12.03 million in scholarship money for the member institutions and an additional $23 million for other championships and television.
- In 1998, Kerry secured the largest sponsorship package in history among HBCU conferences and Division II when Coca-Cola North America signed a five-year, $2 million agreement with the CIAA. He surpassed the preceding record when Coke renewed the contract at $3 million for another five years in 2003.
- Kerry's marketing initiatives have contributed to the overwhelming popularity of the Tournament resulting in a financial windfall for the host city. The estimated economic impact for the 2009 Tournament, in its fourth year in Charlotte was approximately $38.2 million.
- Over the last 10 years, the CIAA has generated over $178 million in economic impact for the state of North Carolina and over $12.03 million in overall scholarship dollars for CIAA member institutions.
- Kerry is also committed to promoting all 16 CIAA championships in baseball, football, men's and women's tennis, golf, men's and women's indoor/outdoor track and field, men's and women's cross-country, softball, volleyball, and bowling.
- Kerry has succeeded in advancing athletic opportunities for young women by adding bowling and women's tennis, now in its ninth year of sponsorship. Corporate partner, Food Lion, LLP has sponsored the women's basketball tournament for ten consecutive years.
- His many honors and awards include: The 2008 Trailblazer Award by the VA Peninsula Chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. in 2008; Conference Images of Excellence Award by The Black Coaches & Administrators in 2008; Clarence E. Gaines Unsung Hero Award in 2007; Inducted as an honorary member of the CIAA Officials Hall of Fame in 2006; Inducted into the Hampton Roads African-American Hall of Fame in 2005; The Meritorious Service Award from Livingstone College in 2004; 2002 NCAA Fellows Award; 2003 Making Better Communities Award; the 2002-2003 Who's Who in Executives in Business; the NAACP Leadership award in 1992.
- Kerry is a native of Hampton, VA with a degree in business administration from Norfolk State University as well as a degree in banking from the American Institute of Banking. Prior to his tenure with the CIAA, Kerry served as assistant vice president of Sovran Bank (now Bank of America), Atlantic National Bank and Systems Management of America.
- Kerry is also a decorated U.S. Army officer serving both active duty and in the U.S. Army Reserve.
- Kerry and his wife of 36 years, Angela, reside in Chesapeake, VA. They have two adult daughters, Lisa and LeAnne and one granddaughter, Madison