Johnson City, Tenn. -- The East Tennessee State athletic department announced today that Jo Anne Paty has been hired as the executive director for ETSU Athletic Advancement. Paty will begin her tenure on Monday, March 19 as the director of the athletic department’s fundraising office.

“I am extremely excited to have Jo Anne Paty join our senior staff,” athletic director Todd Stansbury said. “With her experience as a Chief Executive Officer and her involvement with various philanthropic organizations in the community, Jo Anne will be a vital member of our department.”

A respected business leader in the Tri-Cities region, Paty most recently served as President of the Paty Lumber Company. Her company included seven retail outlets in the Northeast Tenn./Southwest Va. area and employed more than 600 workers. Before becoming the president, Paty served as the vice president for human resources at Paty Lumber from 1992-98.

In addition to her business experience, Paty is a valued member of the Tri-Cities community because of her volunteer efforts. This year, Paty is the co-chairman of the St. Johns’s Episcopal Church Capital campaign and also works on the Dawn of Hope Capital campaign committee.

In recent years, Paty has also served as the division chairman of the Johnson City Public Library as well as being a member of the Children’s Advocacy Center. Her dedication to area youth is well documented as Paty has served as the president and development chairman for Fit Kids, Inc., the chairman of the Children’s Miracle Network telethon and the chairman of the Hands On! Museum in Johnson City.

Presently, Paty also works with many community organizations. She serves on the Bank of Tennessee Board of Directors, the Children’s Advocacy Center committee, in the St. John’s Episcopal Church administration and with the Regional Entertainment, Education and Arts District of Johnson City.

Paty graduated from East Tennessee State in 1982 with a master’s degree in business administration. She earned a bachelor of science in nursing at the University of Tennessee.