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It took only a few years for John Hartwell to earn a solid reputation in the south for his fundraising abilities at Troy University. Apparently that reputation has now earned him an opportunity for something bigger, the athletic director's job at Utah State.

Hartwell has been tabbed as the Aggies' new athletic director, replacing Scott Barnes, who is moving on to become Pitt's athletic director, sources close to Utah State athletic department confirmed Monday.

The 49-year-old Hartwell has been instrumental in upgrading Troy's athletic facilities, including the addition of a new practice facility for the golf teams, a $3 million renovation of the softball complex, the construction of a softball practice facility and a $2.1 million improvement to Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The improvements are similar to the ones Barnes initiated at Utah State as he oversaw the Aggies' move to the Mountain West Conference and the ongoing renovations and renaming of the football stadium, a $36 million project which includes a 21-year sponsorship agreement with Maverik.

In addition to overseeing facility improvements, Hartwell has made strong hires for the men's basketball, softball and women's soccer coaching teams. He has also served on the NCAA Division I Basketball Issues Committee and the Division I-A Board of Trustees Executive Committee as the Sun Belt Conference representative.

Hartwell's base salary last year was $216,300 while Barnes' was $404,916 with the Aggies.

Prior to his stint at Troy, Hartwell spent nine years at Mississippi where he was the senior executive associate athletics director. He also served as the treasurer and chief operating officer of the University of Mississippi Athletic Association Foundation, which generated more than $17 million annually for the athletics department.

Hartwell graduated from The Citadel in 1987 and spent several years in private business before joining Georgia State in 1997 as the assistant athletic director for business.

Hartwell, who grew up in Mobile, Ala., played basketball for the The Citadel where he was a three-year starting forward and team captain as a senior.

He is married to Dr. Heather Seale Hartwell and has two daughters, Lauren (5) and Madison (2) and a 22-year-old son, Hunter, a graduate of Vanderbilt.

— Reporter Kyle Goon contributed to this story —

About John Hartwell

• Became Troy's AD in September 2012.

• Spent previous nine years at Mississippi, where he was instrumental in fundraising.

• Was a 6-foot-7 forward at The Citadel, where he was a three-year basketball starter and team captain as a senior.

• Grew up in Mobile, Ala.

• Married with three children.

• Has a reputation for being a very good fundraiser and spent several years in private business before moving to college athletics.