June 10, 2016 UTEP Director of Athletics
Bob Stull announced on Friday that
Aileen Martinez has been selected as the Miners' new Director of Marketing, and
Drew Thomas has been named Assistant Director of Athletic Development.
Martinez succeeds Daniel Veale, who recently left the department to accept a position with the Kraddick Foundation in the Dallas area. Thomas takes over for Omar Cruz, who has departed for a job with Palo Verde Homes in El Paso.
"Aileen has been a major asset to our department for the last few years, working in both the fundraising and marketing areas," Stull said. "She is bright, enthusiastic, energetic, creative and a tremendous ambassador for El Paso. She will do a great job building on what Daniel has established and work innovatively to promote all 16 of our teams and our athletic program.
"Drew was an outstanding football player at UTEP and has continued to serve the program well as a graduate assistant with football operations," Stull added. "He is an extremely personable young man and a perfect fit for the Miner Athletic Club with his contagious enthusiasm."
An El Paso native, Martinez earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational and Corporate Communications from UTEP in 2015. She started her professional career as a student assistant in the UTEP Office of Alumni Relations from 2011-13.
She joined the athletic department staff three years ago as a Miner Athletic Club intern. Her responsibilities included assisting with UTEP Athletics' primary annual fundraiser, Orange Fever Fiesta, among various special events. She also served as the MAC coordinator for Dinner with the Miners, UTEP's year-end athletics awards banquet.
She moved over to marketing in the spring of 2014 and was involved with all facets of the operation as an undergraduate assistant. She created marketing and promotional plans and executed in-game promotions and entertainment for each sport. She also worked with both campus and community entities to aggressively facilitate ticket sales and fan attendance, including student participation.
Martinez served as a liaison to IMG Sports, UTEP's multimedia rights holder, and worked with the video and graphic design department to develop both print and digital promotional content, including social media components for Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter. She also attended Conference USA meetings in early May in Dallas as UTEP's marketing representative.
Thomas played for the Miners from 2009-12, tallying 162 tackles, 18 pass break-ups and two interceptions as a cornerback and nickel back. He was a three-time captain of the secondary while starting 29 games. He was a two-time recipient of the Bob Stull Award from the coaching staff.
The Chicago native was on the St. Louis Rams' preseason training camp roster in 2013 before playing overseas with the Kiel German Football League team (2014). He was a member of the European Football League championship team.
As graduate assistant for football operations at UTEP over the last year, Thomas organized several camps and fundraising events that generated dramatic increases in profit and attendance. He was also involved with budget planning and implementation for the Miner football program, among other day-to-day responsibilities.
He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from UTEP in 2012 and was a Dean's List student. He is currently pursuing his Masters of Science degree in Intelligence and National Security. Thomas' father, Phil, played for the Chicago Bears.
