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Rams Club Executive Director John Montgomery Announces Retirement

Originally published on GoHeels.com.

May 19, 2025

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John Montgomery, executive director of The Rams Club at the University of North Carolina, announced today that he will retire at the end of the 2025 calendar year. Montgomery has served as the athletics fundraising organization’s leader for more than 24 years and has a career spanning more than 40 years in college athletics.

Montgomery will continue in his current role until his successor is named. The search for his successor will begin immediately. He will help with the transition to a new leader while also continuing to raise funds in support of Carolina Athletics through the year-end.

“Sharie and I love Carolina and will always be a part of this special place,” said Montgomery. “We have had the chance to build a career and life in a place with incredible people who believe in providing life-changing opportunities to talented Tar Heel student-athletes. From the loyal and passionate supporters who believe in our mission to everyone in Chapel Hill who works together to make it all possible, I am glad we had a chance to be a part of this team and community.”

Montgomery came to Carolina in early 2001 as just the third leader of The Rams Club in the organization’s now 87-year history. In his 24 years at Carolina, he has led a team that has raised more than $1.2 billion in support of Carolina Athletics, expanded membership in The Rams Club from 9,000 members to more than 22,000 members, grown endowment funds to more than $540 million, completed more than 40 athletics capital projects, launched the successful FORevHER Tar Heels women’s sports initiative, initiated individual sport endowments for all 28 of Carolina’s varsity programs, and much more.

“Throughout his career, John Montgomery has built deep personal relationships with Carolina coaches, staff, supporters and community members through dedication, selflessness, kindness and a passion to support student-athletes,” said Bubba Cunningham, director of athletics at Carolina. “His commitment to raising money for scholarships, facilities and national championship experiences for student-athletes has made a lasting impact. We thank John and his wife Sharie for all they have contributed to Carolina and wish them and their family all the best as he prepares for retirement. He is a true Tar Heel.”

“John Mongtomery has been a steady and productive leader for The Rams Club during a time of continuing shifts in the college athletics landscape,” said Anne Lloyd, chair of The Rams Club’s Executive Board of Directors. “Through it all, John has worked tirelessly to lead a team – Rams Club members and staff alike – committed to providing student-athletes with the best college experience in the country. John’s legacy, beyond financial success, is his ability to build and motivate teams, to empower them to be successful, and to lead by example. He is the personification of ‘The Carolina Way.'”

A native of Pembroke, Va., Montgomery began his college athletics career at his alma mater, Radford University. Roles at UNC-Greensboro and SMU preceded his arrival in Chapel Hill. He was named the 2009 Division I Fundraiser of the Year by the National Association of Athletic Development Directors. He counts among his former staff members four current or former Division I athletic directors and several leaders of college athletics fundraising organizations.

The Rams Club will work with Parker Executive Search to find its next dynamic leader.