Tad Middleton became Director of Development for the Saint Louis Chess Club and World Chess Hall of Fame in July of 2023.

Prior to arriving at the chess campus, Middleton served as the Director of Development for SIUE Athletics, driving record-breaking fundraising success for the Cougars through new initiatives and campus campaigns. Middleton was also a part of SIUE Athletics' DEI task force, Cougars As One, and created and secured its first scholarship. 

Middleton joined Cougar Athletics’ full-time staff after serving as the General Manager of SIUE Cougar Sports Properties for Peak Sports MGMT. With Peak, Middleton facilitated the managing and selling of all sponsorship inventory for SIUE Athletics, including broadcasting rights, venue signage, program advertising, digital and web content, game sponsorships and other special events. During his tenure as GM, Middleton secured the $2.3 million naming rights agreement for First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center.

Before his time at Peak, Middleton previously worked as a Donor Relations Consultant for Impact Life (formerly Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center), working in partnerships, marketing, and event management for blood drives in Madison and Bond Counties. Prior to MVRBC, Middleton held positions as account executive for WBGZ 1570 radio in Alton, Illinois and as program director of the Boys & Girls Club of Bethalto.

Previous work experience in college athletics includes serving as a student assistant in sports information at Illinois State University, graduate assistant in sports information at SIUE, and public relations assistant at the University of Illinois.

Middleton earned his bachelor’s degree in mass communications from ISU and his master’s degree in sports management from SIUE. He resides in Bethalto with his wife, Missy, and their children, Ella and Camden.