Razorback Foundation hires top fundraiser from University of Kansas

A top athletics fundraiser at the University of Kansas is headed to Fayetteville for a similar role.

Two sources confirmed to the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal that Ryan White, a senior associate athletics director for development at KU, has accepted a job as the new executive director of the Razorback Foundation Inc.

The Razorback Foundation is the private fundraising arm that raises millions of dollars in support of the University of Arkansas athletics department.

An official announcement has not been made. White could not be reached for comment. Razorback Foundation officials were not immediately available.

White will replace Scott Varady, who became the UA’s vice chancellor for university advancement this past April. A UA alum and longtime senior administrator, Varady headed up the Razorback Foundation since 2015.

Billye Veteto, the foundation’s chief financial officer, replaced Varady on an interim basis beginning April 17.

The foundation’s board of directors conducted a national search for Varady’s replacement. According to an online bio at kuathletics.com, White worked for KU athletics for the past four years. He previously worked in athletics fundraising roles at Ohio University (2013-2019) and the University of Virginia (2002-2013). White’s tenure at UVA overlapped with current UA athletics director Hunter Yurachek, who was an associate athletics director of marketing and promotions for the Cavaliers from 2004 to 2006.

At Kansas, ironically, White was hired by former UA athletics director Jeff Long.

A Raleigh, N.C. native, White graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications from North Carolina State University and earned a master’s degree in sports administration at Ohio University.