Kenny Daugherty

Kenny Daugherty joined Myers McRae in 2008 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and was named President in 2016. Identifying and attracting highly qualified, undeclared candidates to searches is one of his specialty. 

His ability to relate to search committees and candidates stems from his 28 years of managerial experience in public and independent institutions. Throughout his career in higher education, he had responsibilities that involved interdepartmental cooperation and personnel management at multiple levels. He became known for his ability to assess candidates, which resulted in his placement on numerous search committees for professional staff and administrators across the university community.

His career in higher education administration began at the University of Alabama, where Mr. Daugherty served in the areas of facilities, planning, and services for Housing and Residential Life. During his 11-year tenure at the state flagship institution, he designed and managed the facility planning process that included a seven-year plan for building renovations, projects, and new construction, as well as developed, implemented, and maintained a building audit system for housing facilities. As a University Total Quality Management Facilitator, he led TQM teams in the Housing and Recreation departments. With student services, he also served as a judicial officer for the university.

In 1996, he joined Mercer University as Assistant Vice President for Development, steadily progressing in leadership roles to Vice President for Advancement Administration by 2003. He provided strategic management and planning for 10 operational areas including development, capital campaign, alumni services, public relations, government relations, records and research, admissions, and financial aid. Additionally, he had a major role in recruiting volunteer leadership and major contributors for Mercer University. During his career at Mercer, the university had a 35 percent growth in donors.

In the area of admissions, he assisted with the restructuring of the Admissions Office, including the development and implementation of recruiting and scholarship strategies for incoming undergraduates. In the first year of the restructuring and redesign, freshman enrollment increased by over 50 students making it the largest freshman class in Mercer history while SAT averages rose by 67 points.

Mr. Daugherty earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mercer University. While in graduate school, he served as the Assistant Men's Basketball Coach, recruiting high school and junior college basketball players in the Southeast and Midwest and hiring and supervising the managerial staff.