CLEVELAND - The Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) will welcome the following individuals to its Board of Directors following the 2022 Symposium – Denise Brown (Pace University), Frank Cuervo (University of Illinois Chicago), Kenneth 'Ziggy' Siegfried (California State University Bakersfield) and Darnell Smith (Texas A&M University San Antonio). 

Brown (complete bio) was hired at Pace in August 2018 and serves as the athletics budget manager. Brown oversees the financial operations for the department, managing the budget and managing the department's fiscal policies and procedures. She also prepares the annual NCAA/EADA financial reports, while serving as the department's liaison for human resources. Previously, Brown served as the athletics operations and business manager at SUNY Maritime. Brown is a Temple University graduate and earned her master's degree from California University of Pennsylvania.

Cuervo (complete bio) was named UIC's deputy director for external operations and chief revenue officer in August 2021 and leads the athletics external operations and strategic initiatives, including advancement, partnerships, communications, marketing, ticketing, branding and creative services. He also has sport oversight of several Flames sport programs. Prior to his time at UIC, Cuervo served four years as vice president of collegiate services and national partnerships for Van Wagner's collegiate division. He also has held positions at University Alabama at Birmingham, Indiana University and University of Missouri. Cuervo played baseball at the University of Florida and earned his master's degree from Ohio State University.

Siegfried (complete bio) is just the third-ever director of athletics at CSU Bakersfield and has served in that role since August 2015. Prior to taking over the chair, he served as the interim AD and was the senior associate AD at the university. During his time, the university has garnered membership in the Big West Conference, the department unveiled a new strategic plan, developed a $40-plus million master facilities plan, completed a reorganization of the athletics staff and negotiated a multi-media rights contract. Prior to his time at Bakersfield, he served at the University of Memphis, where he also earned his bachelor's degree. He finished his master's degree from Middle Tennessee State University in 2004 and his doctorate from Memphis in 2019.

In August 2019, Smith (complete bio) was named the inaugural director of athletics for A&M-San Antonio, bringing with him more than 15 years of experience. Smith's experience in strategy, compliance, equity and inclusivity, along with his deep understanding of the student-athlete experience has propelled him to success as he has built the program from the ground up. Previously, Smith worked at the University of Central Oklahoma, overseeing compliance, student-athlete services, and student-athlete welfare programming. Smith earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Oklahoma State University, where he played defensive end.

The following is a complete list of the Board – click here.

About the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association: Administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association promotes equitable employment opportunities for minorities in the athletics industry through the exchange of ideas, the creation of networking opportunities and the avocation of an increase in employment for minorities in athletics administration positions at all levels of the sports industry. The association also promotes cultivating a sports environment that supports the values necessary to accept aspiring professionals from all walks of life. For more information on the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association, please visit www.moaaweb.com.