Byron Kennedy was named Vice President for University Advancement on Nov. 1, 2018, after serving as associate vice chancellor for principal gifts for Institutional Advancement, where he led a team responsible for coordinating gift strategies for the Texas Tech University System's most generous donors at $1 million and higher.

Kennedy joined the Texas Tech University System in 2008 as director of gift planning for Institutional Advancement, where he led the team responsible for helping donors achieve their philanthropic goals through gifts from wills, trusts, retirement assets and other financial and tax strategies. He was promoted to managing director in 2014, adding responsibilities for fundraising efforts at Texas Tech University that included the School of Law, the Graduate School, the Honors College, Texas Tech Public Media, the Museum of Texas Tech University, and the National Ranching Heritage Center.

Kennedy graduated with his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Tech University in 2004. He received both his master's degree in Personal Financial Planning and his law degree from Texas Tech in 2007. He is a certified financial planner.

His wife, Lindsay, is also an alumnus of Texas Tech University, where she received her master's degree and doctorate. The Kennedys and their extended family are devoted Red Raiders.