Chisholm bolsters athletic department staff

The Vanguard talks to new athletic director “Torre” Chisholm about his plans for PSU athletics coming Tuesday.

Since officially beginning his stint as athletic director May 1, Michael “Torre” Chisholm has been very busy filling out his athletic department staff.

On his second day at Portland State, Chisholm hired Dennis Ferguson as director of business development. Ferguson, previously CEO and chairman of the board for JBL&K Risk Services in Portland, will be responsible for spurring new corporate and private relationships for Viking athletics. Holding leadership posts with organizations such as the Oregon Historical Society, United Way Campaign and the Multnomah Athletic Club, Ferguson will draw on his connections to heighten awareness of Portland State athletics.

Chisholm named Zack Wallace associate athletic director for development May 8. Enjoying success at Cal State Bakersfield, the University of Oregon, and the University of California, Irvine, Wallace has an immense amount of fundraising experience. At Cal State Bakersfield, Wallace led a fundraising effort that garnered $6 million to elevate the athletic program to Division I. He will be expected to replicate this success at Portland State, primarily by increasing fundraising and gifts for the athletic department.