The First Academy taps Winter Park High's Andy Chiles as new athletic director

The First Academy has hired Andy Chiles, the current athletic director of Winter Park High, as the Royals' next AD. 

 “Andy was the clear and obvious choice when we began our search," said TFA Head of School Dr. Steve D. Whitaker. "He is a recognized leader in the world of high school athletics, not just within Florida, but on the national stage as well.”

Chiles will leave Winter Park, after spending the last six years leading the Wildcats athletic department, to join the Royals in June. 

“I am honored to join The First Academy and excited about the opportunity to contribute to an institution that values both academic and athletic achievement,” Chiles said. “I look forward to working with the student-athletes, coaches and community to continue the school’s tradition of success.”

The decision to appoint the veteran athletics administrator as the new leader of the TFA Athletics Department comes after the department's restructuring in November, during which former AD Jeff Conaway shifted his focus to solely coaching the football program. 

Chiles extensive experience as an athletics administrator includes a 10-year stint as Lake Nona High's first-ever athletics director. 

In addition to his leadership at the high school level, he has served as the FHSAA Board of Directors President, the President of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, and currently he's  the Executive Director of the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. 

As Athletic Director, Chiles will oversee all aspects of The First Academy’s athletic programs, focusing on program development, student-athlete success and the continued advancement of the school’s athletic department.