Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation Announces Leadership Appointments Following Organizational Strategic Reset

DeAngelo Hall named Vice President of Football Operations; Ran Carthon, Martin Mayhew, and Jacques McClendon join Board of Directors; Michele Meyer-Shipp transitions to Executive Director with Kyle Bowser as Board Chair

[WASHINGTON, D.C. – AUGUST 3, 2026] – The Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation (FPA) today announced a series of leadership appointments stemming from a comprehensive organizational reset undertaken over the past six months. The changes follow an extensive listening tour led by Executive Director Michele Meyer-Shipp, in which she engaged executives, coaches, and members across the league to assess the FPA’s operating model and refine its mission and strategy.

DeAngelo Hall Named Vice President of Football Operations

The FPA announced the hiring of DeAngelo Hall as Vice President of Football Operations, effective August 10. In this newly created role, Hall will support the FPA’s strategic priorities of talent identification, member community and capability building, and talent advancement. With over 20 years of experience as an NFL player, coach, and broadcaster, DeAngelo has firsthand knowledge and experience in identifying and role modeling the qualities and skill sets for head coach prospects. DeAngelo played 14 seasons in the league including time with the Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, and Washington Commanders. He worked as a broadcast analyst from 2018-2023, and as a coach for the Carolina Panthers from 2023-2025. In his new role, DeAngelo will be a key voice as the FPA works across the league to identify and advance underrepresented candidates into key roles on and off the field.

Three New Board Members Join FPA

As part of its effort to enhance the breadth of experience on its Board of Directors, the FPA announced three new board members:

• Ran Carthon – former Executive Vice President/General Manager of the Tennessee Titans and current football broadcast analyst, with nearly two decades of executive leadership experience in NFL front offices and a former NFL running back.
• Martin Mayhew – former General Manager of the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders, with nearly three decades of executive leadership experience in NFL front offices and a former NFL cornerback.
• Jacques McClendon – Vice President, Football Coaches & Executives Operations at WIN Sports Group, who previously spent six seasons as Director of Football Affairs with the Los Angeles Rams and is a former NFL center.

Leadership Transition

Alongside these additions, Michele Meyer-Shipp will transition from Interim Executive Director & Board Chair to Executive Director. Longtime board member Kyle Bowser will assume the role of Board Chair.

“These appointments are the first of several strategic moves ahead as we sharpen the FPA’s mission and operating model in service of our members who work across the league,” said Meyer-Shipp. “Over the past six months, I’ve had the opportunity to listen closely to executives, coaches, and members across the NFL, and that input has directly shaped the direction we’re taking as an organization.”

About the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation

The FPA was founded in 2003. Its mission is to build, develop, and advance a talent pipeline across the National Football League that reflects the full breadth of society’s excellence and ensures that people from all backgrounds have an opportunity to lead at every level of the League. It aspires to help create a National Football League where leadership at every level reflects the diversity of its players, fans, and communities — and where underrepresented professionals have full and fair access to opportunity.

For More Information:
FPA PR Team, (202) 599-3264

FPA Aug 3 Press Release