Anthem Executive | Anthem Academics Assists Texas A&M International University with Director of Athletics Search
October 7, 2026 – Anthem Executive | Anthem Academics has assisted Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) with the recruitment of director of athletics. Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Mike “JR” Wheless, and Florene Stawowy led the assignment. “We are excited to welcome Tyler to Texas A&M International University and to join our Dustdevil family,” said University president Christopher Maynard. His commitment to the academic and athletic success of student-athletes aligns strongly with our values, and we look forward to working together to create even greater opportunities for our student-athletes to succeed, both in competition and in the classroom.”
Mr. Unsicker most recently served as assistant vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics at Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) for the past five years, leading Generals Athletics to unprecedented levels of academic achievement, competitive success, fundraising growth, and operational strength.
Before LSUA, Mr. Unsicker served at NCAA Division II Central Washington University (CWU) as associate athletic director for external affairs. During his time at CWU, he led a rebranding of the university’s athletics branding, contributed to its football facility renovation, created student internship opportunities, and developed marketing initiatives.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to join Texas A&M International University and become part of the Dustdevil family,” said Mr. Unsicker. “I am eager to explore the limitless potential TAMIU has to offer as we continue to push the Dustdevils to new heights and elevate the student-athlete experience. I look forward to working alongside our coaches, staff, University leadership and community partners to support our student-athletes, strengthen our programs and build a culture of excellence that unites our University and community. I am excited for what we can accomplish together and for the opportunity to help write the next chapter of Dustdevil Athletics.”
Founded in 1970, TAMIU is a public Hispanic-Serving Institution and member of The Texas A&M University System, enrolling over 9,000 students from 38 countries and 28 U.S. states on its 300-acre campus in Laredo. The University is experiencing significant gains in enrollment, student success, and national rankings, with deep community support and strong institutional momentum.
Anthem Executive | Anthem Academics, headquartered in Houston, TX, serves clients across a range of business sectors, including higher education, health sciences, corporate and non-profit institutions, global software and technology, private equity, insurance, service and manufacturing, oil and gas, and others. Its consultants bring a combined 80 years’ experience in the search industry. The firm’s higher education practice spans the entire leadership spectrum. In other sectors, Anthem Executive covers all roles from CEO and other C-suite leaders, board directors, vice president, and directors, among others.
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Mr. Ballew, a registered Native American and member of the Echota Cherokee Tribe, serves as the firm’s chief diversity, inclusion, equity, and compliance officer, as well as search committee facilitator. He joined the executive search industry 14 years ago following a 20-plus year career in senior-level management with expertise in recruiting, counseling, training, operations, strategic planning, facilitation, project management, and workplace diversity.
Related: Anthem Executive Assists the University of Montevallo With President Search
Mr. Watson has been in the executive search industry for over 30 years. In addition to higher education institutions, he has served hospital/health systems, global software and technology companies, private equity enterprises, MCOs, insurance companies, service and manufacturing organizations with global footprints, and others.
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Mr. Wheless, a veteran of more than two decades in the search industry, has served a broad portfolio of clients across many industry lines on behalf of organizations ranging from small operations to Fortune $100 billion plus enterprises – including working with and recruiting some of the nation’s most influential leadership. Mr. Wheless has served institutions and organizations across a broad range of geographies and sectors in higher education, technology, healthcare, energy, financial services, law, insurance, hospitality and food services, retail, CPG, EPC, manufacturing, aerospace, mining, construction, and real estate.
Ms. Stawowy, who has been in executive search for over 20 years, is a core member of the higher education and academic health practice. Over the last two decades, she has developed deep expertise in senior‐level search, having been charged with numerous executive leadership transitions with a particular emphasis on higher education and academic health search.
Related: Anthem Executive Assists the University of Montevallo With President Search
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
