IMG Academy announces new chief operating officer

A leader who has experience in multiple departments at Bradenton's IMG Academy has been named the new COO for the organization, which specializes in athletics and education.

Mike Milliron has worked for IMG Academy since 2011, his career spanning eight departments there. He began as a student-athlete advisor and program manager in lacrosse then rose to become director of sales, associate athletic director, director of camps, chief of staff and interim head of schools.

Before he was named COO, Milliron was senior vice president of product operations, overseeing student life and athletics, as well as consumer insights, product innovation and customer experience.

"With his visionary approach and 13-year track record of driving organizational success in every role at IMG Academy, Mike is an invaluable leader for our team,” Brent Richard, CEO of IMG Academy, says in a statement. “We are confident that under his guidance, IMG Academy will continue to help student-athletes win their future, preparing them for college and for life." 

In his new role, effective immediately, Milliron will oversee the IMG boarding school and camps, Legacy Hotel and IMG Academy Golf Club, according to a statement.  

“IMG Academy is home to deeply talented individuals who are dedicated to our community and the holistic development of its student-athletes,” Milliron says in a statement. “I look forward to working alongside and empowering our team members as we continue to collectively uphold our legacy of excellence, inclusion, innovation, and unrivaled experience.”

Milliron has a Bachelor of Science in life sciences from Penn State and a master of business administration and master of sports administration from Ohio University. He played varsity baseball at Penn State, according to a statement, which says he was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 2005 Major League Baseball draft.