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Leadership Team

Lindsey Long, Iowa State University | llong@foundation.iastate.edu (Director Emeritus)

Jessica Lynch, Univ. of Mississippi | jessica@olemissalumni.com  (Treasurer)

Kate Souder, Michigan State | souderk@ath.msu.edu

Kimbirly Orr, Univ. of Colorado | kimbirly.orr@colorado.edu

Brian Walter, Virginia Tech Univ. | bwalter@vt.edu

Matt Weldy, Univ. of Notre Dame | MWeldy@nd.edu

National Letterwinners Association names Johnston as Executive Director

David Johnston has been named as the next executive director for the National Letterwinners Association (NLWA). He succeeds Lindsey Long who has served as the organization’s executive director since 2017 in the volunteer role.

“I am greatly humbled to step into this leadership role supporting a national organization and industry that I love,” Johnston said. “I want to express my profound gratitude to Lindsey Long for her leadership in strengthening the NLWA and contributing its growth and relevance in an era of rapid change and evolution in college athletics.”

Long shared, “as I reflect on my time as Executive Director of the National Letterwinners Club, I am filled with gratitude. Together, we have worked to engage, reconnect, and grow relationships with athletic alumni across the country. Our shared commitment to honor the legacy of letterwinners and foster community has been the driving force behind everything we’ve accomplished. With that spirit, David’s wealth of experiences serving and leading national professional organizations make him the ideal leader to continue building on the momentum we’ve created together.”

The National Letterwinners Association (NLWA) is a volunteer-led organization serving as the professional association for those who work with athletic alumni and letterwinner organizations at their respective college or university, acting as a vehicle for networking and the exchange of industry leading best practices.

Members include representatives from colleges and universities from across the United States who directly work with their respective athletic alumni and letterwinner organizations. Each person affiliated with NLWA has a responsibility to contribute to the national conversation.

Announced 9.5.2025