FAMU President Restructures Athletics Leadership Team

By Alonda Thomas, FAMU News

Florida A&M University President Marva Johnson, J.D., recently announced the appointment of John F. Davis as vice president and director of athletics, and Angela Suggs will return to the university as special assistant to the president and advisor for Intercollegiate Athletics. Suggs began her role in the Office of the President on Nov. 10.  Interim Director of Athletics Michael Smith will continue to lead the Department of Athletics and assist with the transition until Davis’ official start date of January 5, 2026.

President Johnson highlighted Davis’ proven ability to manage complex enterprises, overseeing the budgets of a multibillion enterprise, while ensuring compliance and accountability, as some of the factors that led to her decision.

“John Davis is a dynamic and results-oriented leader who brings more than three decades of executive experience in leading large-scale organizations, building high-performing teams, and driving strategic growth across Florida. I am pleased to welcome him to Florida A&M University as my pick for vice president and director of athletics,” said Johnson.

Davis currently serves as secretary of the Florida Lottery, a position he’s held for the last five years. Since taking the helm, he has guided the Lottery’s significant growth, making it a $9 billion enterprise that funds public education statewide. Under his direction, the agency established new systems and processes that achieved record-breaking revenue.

Before his tenure at the Lottery, Davis served as executive vice president of the Orlando Regional Chamber and president of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, where he led historic membership and revenue growth, and forged enduring partnerships across all sectors.

“It is an honor to take the role of Vice President and Director of Athletics at FAMU. This position excites me and aligns with my experience in leading transformational change across public and private sectors. I view collegiate athletics as a business enterprise evolving alongside professional sports. To establish and advance a new trajectory for athletics at Florida A&M University, I intend to leverage the knowledge I’ve gained from various roles, including my experience as a collegiate student-athlete and advising on NIL policies,” said Davis.