Auburn University President Steven Leath names Miles Lackey chief of staff

Following a national search, Miles Lackey has been selected as chief of staff to Auburn President Steven Leath, effective Jan. 2, 2018.

Lackey comes to Auburn from Iowa State University, where he was named chief of staff in April 2012 when Leath served as ISU president. He has also served as the university’s chief financial officer since July 2016.

“Miles will help us greatly as we streamline operations and improve our efficiency,” Leath said. “He is an outstanding strategic thinker and planner, and I am very excited to have him on board as I begin my tenure here at Auburn.”

As chief of staff, Lackey will work with Leath to manage day-to-day operations in central administration. He will advise the President on major institutional decisions and will lead or serve on senior level, institution-wide committees, including the President’s Cabinet.

In addition, Lackey will oversee several Auburn administrative units, including the Office of Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity; the Office of Audit, Compliance & Privacy; the Office of Communications and Marketing; the Office of Governmental Affairs; the University Ombuds Office and the Office of Public Affairs.

Lackey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Lenoir-Rhyne University, a Master of Public Administration from George Mason University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Prior to his work at Iowa State, Lackey directed the Office of Federal Affairs at UNC from 2010 to 2012 and served as director of federal relations for the UNC system from 2006 to 2010.

In addition to his background in higher education, Lackey has experience in public policy, having worked on Capitol Hill as an advisor to Sen. Elizabeth Dole from 2003 to 2006. He also has private sector experience as Chairman of the Board and operating partner of Village Inn Pizza Parlors.