July 9, 2024 

Media Contacts:  
Dr. Diana Garza, vice president of student affairs, dgarza@wvc.edu, 509-682-6805  
Dr. Jennifer Korfiatis, interim public information officer, jkorfiatis@wvc.edu, 509-682-6650 

 

Wenatchee Valley College has named Brian Kortz as the new director of athletics, exercise science, and recreation. His first day is July 15. 

In this role, Kortz will lead and support WVC’s seven athletic teams, support the faculty in the exercise science department, provide opportunities for students to participate in recreational activities, and ensure compliance with the WVC’s and the Northwest Athletic Conference’s policies and procedures. He will work to recruit and retain athletes, and to advance intercollegiate athletics.  

“Brian comes to us with a wealth of experience and expertise in fundraising,” said Dr. Diana Garza, WVC Vice President of Student Affairs. “As our new athletics director, he is poised to lead WVC's athletics department to even greater heights. The commitment to excellence and dedication to student-athletes will ensure that our athletics program continues to thrive and provide opportunities for our students to excel both on and off the field.”  

Kortz has over 15 years of higher education experience in collegiate athletics. Most recently, he was the associate athletic director for external relations at Northwestern State University, where he managed an annual fund of over $1 million in revenue and corporate sponsorships that accumulated nearly $600,000. He also oversaw the external units of media relations, marketing and ticketing that totaled 12 staff. 

Prior to Louisiana, Kortz served as the associate athletic director for external relations at Bemidji State University, where he was in charge of corporate sponsorships that totaled over $500,000, alumni/donor relations, media relations, tickets and marketing. 

Kortz had his first experience working in the Pacific Northwest at Western Oregon for over three years. There he oversaw media relations, marketing and fan engagement, helping increase student/community engagement for home events and marketing. 

At Western New Mexico University, Kortz worked almost every position in the athletic department for nearly eight years, serving as the main fundraiser and media relations/marketing person, helping with compliance and internal operations/budgets, and serving as assistant women’s basketball coach. 

Kortz began his collegiate career in Missouri at Lincoln University and moved up from the sports information director to the assistant athletic director, helping to shape the media relations/marketing for the athletic department. 

A native of Bayfield, Colo., Kortz received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English-Communications at Adams State University. He will be joined in Wenatchee by his wife, Sarah. 

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Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington by serving educational and cultural needs of communities and residents throughout the service area. The college is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion for all students and employees and provides high-quality transfer, liberal arts, professional/technical, basic skills and continuing education for students of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Visit our website, wvc.edu. 

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process. 

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses: 

To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Mish ee twie, 1321A, (509) 682-6716, title9@wvc.edu. 

To request disability accommodations: Student Access Manager, Wenatchi Hall 2131, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.