USA Volleyball Names Wade Garard as Chief Advancement Officer

Garard and Speraw remain committed to First Point mission as unofficial advisors

Colorado Springs, Colorado (Feb. 3, 2025) – First Point Volleyball Foundation is pleased to share USA Volleyball's news that Wade Garard was announced today "as its Chief Advancement Officer, a strategic hire aimed at driving USAV's long-term growth and philanthropic efforts.   Garard brings an extensive background in fundraising, capital campaigns, nonprofit management, as well as extensive connections in the volleyball and sports business communities to the leadership team at USAV," according to the USAV release.   

“Philanthropy must be a key component to the strategy of any sports related non-profit and I can think of no one better to lead fundraising efforts for the sport of volleyball than Wade Garard,” said John Speraw, President and CEO of USA Volleyball and former Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder of First Point Volleyball Foundation.  “What Wade and a group of donors at First Point Volleyball Foundation have been able to do to grow boys’ volleyball is nothing short of outstanding.  We are thrilled to welcome him to USAV.” 

The USAV announcement further states that "Garard will report to Speraw, and serve as a key member of USAV’s executive leadership team, contributing to overall organizational strategy and decision-making.  Working closely with the USA Volleyball Foundation Board of Directors, Garard will also be responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive advancement strategy to significantly increase philanthropic support to the USAV Foundation.  Garard will serve as the primary liaison with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation to ensure strategic alignment and synergy in comprehensive fundraising efforts." 

As co-founders of First Point Volleyball Foundation, Garard and Speraw, along with 25 volunteer board members spearheaded efforts that raised $5.8 million to grow boys’ and men’s volleyball in the United States, leading to the establishment of 42 new men’s collegiate volleyball programs, including eighteen (18) NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball teams and eight new programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).  Over 8 years First Point’s efforts resulted in 11 additional state high school federations voting to pilot or sanction high school boys’ volleyball.  

"It has been the honor of my life to work with and establish close friendships with the volunteer donors on the First Point board. We all have a lot more we want to accomplish for the sport," Garard said.  

First Point will continue to be led by its Chairman Marin Gjaja, its President/Treasurer Bruce Lincoln and a passionate and engaged board of directors.  Two active First Point board members Kenny Rogers and Sarah Conklin are continuing their roles as National Co-Chairs of the Committee to Grow High School Boys' Volleyball.   

"We are excited to work with John and Wade in different chairs and also thrilled to be working with Karch Kiraly and Luka Slabe to bring more attention to the growth of boys' and men's volleyball.  What exciting news that Karch and Luka will both be highlighting a First Point boys clinic on Sunday March 30 in Austin, TX," said Kenny Rogers, co-chair of First Point's Committee to Grow High School Boys' Volleyball.  On March 28-29, 2025 First Point will be hosting the Inaugural First Point High School Boys National Invitational Tournament featuring 16 high school boys' volleyball teams from 15 states in Austin.  The day after the National High School Boys' Invitational, US Men's National Team Staff Head Coach Kiraly and Assistant Coach Slabe will be running a player and coach clinic for the invitational's participants.

"It has been terrific working with Wade in his First Point role, and we are very optimistic about the leadership that he and John (Speraw) can bring to the growth of boys' and men's volleyball and all aspects of the sport in their new roles at USAV," said Marin Gjaja, Vice Chairman and President of the First Point Executive Committee (and COO of Ford Model e the electric car division of Ford Motor Company).  "USAV has been a valued partner of First Point as we co-invested with USAV in starting men's volleyball at the SIAC, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Northern Kentucky University.  Now First Point is looking forward to furthering our partnership with USAV Volleyball in order to expand the mission and impact of First Point going forward." 

For more information on how to get involved with the growth of boys' and men's volleyball, please contact Kenny Rogers at kenny@firstpointvolleyball.com or Sarah Conklin at sarah@firstpointvolleyball.com.  

Wade Garard can be contacted at wade.garard@usav.org.