Rochelle Named Razorback Foundation Executive Director

It didn’t take the University of Arkansas’ Razorback Foundation long to find a new executive director.

Staff member Sean Rochelle will take over for Chris Wyrick, who accepted a job as vice chancellor for university advancement earlier this week. Razorback Foundation chairman Ken Mourton made the announcement via a UA athletic department-issued news release.

“As the board began to consider the desired experience and attributes for the future leader of the Razorback Foundation, Sean Rochelle immediately became a clear choice to serve as our new executive director,” Mourton said in the release. “Sean has been instrumental in the recent success of the Razorback Foundation, including helping grow membership and annual fund support to record levels.”

Rochelle has been with the foundation since 2008, most recently serving as senior associate director. During his time with the foundation, membership and annual fund support has increased each year.

In 2011-12, membership grew to almost 13,000, while the annual fund topped $20 million for the first time, the release said.

“Sean will provide our foundation a passionate leader who possesses the vision necessary to continue the efforts to modernize and grow our fund raising efforts,” UA athletic director Jeff Long said in the release. “He will play a pivotal role in helping lead our efforts to secure funding for facility projects developed from our Athletic Facilities Master Plan, including the Student-Athlete Success Center, the basketball practice facility and the baseball and track indoor training facility.”

Rochelle is a native of Elkins and played football at Arkansas-Monticello. He and his wife, Caroline, have three daughters.