Wednesday, June 3, 2015

PORTLAND, Ore. – Blake Timm, who has served as sports information director at NCAA Division III member Pacific (Ore.) University since 1999, has been appointed the GNAC’s assistant commissioner for communications.

Timm will begin his duties July 13. He replaces Bob Guptill, who is retiring after 14 years as the conference information director and 35 years in college athletics.

“We are extremely excited to have Blake Timm join the GNAC staff,” said commissioner Dave Haglund. “In addition to his extensive experience in collegiate athletic media relations, Blake has a strong familiarity with our conference and many of the media members in our footprint. Most important, he is a highly respected professional who has been an effective leader in his field both regionally and nationally. We couldn’t have found a better person to take over the reins from Bob Guptill, who has done a fabulous job in his time at the GNAC.”

During his career at Pacific, Timm has directed the media and external relations for Pacific’s 24-sport athletic program. Key achievements during his tenure include award-winning publications and writing; designing and executing aggressive multimedia initiatives (including multiple website redesigns as well as audio and video webcasting); overseeing successful strategies for department use of a variety of social media platforms; and securing regional and national media coverage of Boxer athletics.

Timm also spent part of his tenure as the lead media contact for Pacific University Legends, a celebrity fundraising concert, auction and golf event that has raised over $600,000 for Pacific’s athletic program.

“I am excited to begin the next chapter in my career with the GNAC staff,” Timm said.  “The GNAC has developed a reputation for excellence in small college athletics in the Northwest and within NCAA Division II.  I look forward to serving a first-class group of athletics communications professionals in the conference’s schools and bringing the GNAC’s message to a broader audience.”

An active member and leader in the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), Timm has served on various boards and committees with the organization since 2001, including six years on CoSIDA’s Board of Directors. He also has had a significant presence as a media relations aide at major athletic events in the Pacific Northwest, including the NCAA Division I men’s basketball regionals, the IAAF World Junior Track and Field Championships, the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials.

Timm graduated in 1998 from Pacific with a bachelor’s of arts degree in communications-journalism.