Aaron Bessey was hired as App State's Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Operations in March 2026.
 
Bessey, who most recently served as Athletic Director at Division II Young Harris (Ga.) College, served in external relations roles at UNC Asheville, Lenoir-Rhyne and Georgia State after starting his professional career in marketing with a two-year stint at App State. He plays an integral role in fundraising with the Mountaineers Athletic Fund (MAF) and oversees marketing, ticketing and fan experience.
  
Bessey rejoins App State Athletics after serving as the A.D. at Young Harris since July 2024. He oversaw major growth, academic success and competitive improvement during his time leading the Mountain Lions.
  
From 2022-24, Bessey served as an Associate A.D. at UNC Asheville – first overseeing leadership gifts and then external relations. He was a Senior Associate A.D. and Director of the Bears Club at Lenoir-Rhyne from 2017-22. He held a Director of Marketing title at Georgia State from 2015-17 after beginning his career as a Marketing Assistant and then Assistant Director of Marketing for the Mountaineers in 2013-15.
 
Bessey was a student manager for NC State's men's basketball team and graduated with a bachelor's degree in sports management/parks and recreation in 2013.
 
He and his wife, Dr. Caroline Bessey, have a daughter, Sophie.