OREM, Utah — Utah Valley University Athletics has announced the hiring of Vess Pearson as General Manager for the Wolverine men's and women's soccer programs, marking the next step in the continued growth of Utah Valley soccer.
Pearson becomes the first general manager appointed for a varsity sport program in Utah Valley Athletics history, representing a significant investment in the future of Wolverine soccer.
The move comes as Utah Valley prepares to transition into the Big West Conference, positioning both programs for continued growth and success in a new competitive landscape.
In this newly created role, Pearson will work directly with both programs in areas including strategic planning, operational support, student-athlete development, resource enhancement, branding and long-term program growth as Utah Valley continues building toward the next level.
The hire also comes as Utah Valley prepares for its second season competing in the state-of-the-art UCCU Stadium, a facility that has further elevated the profile and experience of Wolverine soccer.
"This is an important step forward for our soccer programs and for our department," said Dr. Jared Sumsion. "We believe in the direction of both programs and the leadership in place, and adding Vess to that group strengthens our ability to support our student-athletes and continue building something special at Utah Valley."
Pearson brings extensive executive leadership and entrepreneurial experience after co-founding Aptive Environmental in 2015. As CEO and co-founder, he helped grow the company into one of the largest residential pest control providers in North America, serving customers in more than 5,000 cities across more than 30 states. Under Pearson's leadership, Aptive earned national recognition for both innovation and workplace culture, including placement on Glassdoor's Top 100 Best Places to Work and the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list. He was also named the 2021 EY Entrepreneur of the Year for the Utah Region.
Beyond the business world, Pearson has been deeply involved in the growth of soccer in Utah. As a co-founder and owner of Utah United, including its USL League Two and USL W League clubs, he has helped build the organization into one that has produced several nationally ranked teams. Through his work with Utah United, Pearson has been instrumental in recruiting and supporting players throughout their development within the state.
Originally from Corona, California, Pearson has lived in Utah since 2003. He and his wife, Angie, are the parents of four children: Harper, Hayes, Becket and Jackson.
Pearson said he looks forward to working alongside both programs and contributing to their continued development.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to be part of Utah Valley soccer," said Pearson. "There is a strong foundation already in place, and I'm excited to work with both programs to support the student-athlete experience and help continue moving things in the right direction."
Known for his data-driven approach and emphasis on culture and development, Pearson will bring a forward-thinking perspective to Utah Valley soccer as the Wolverines continue to build on recent success.
Utah Valley women's soccer, led by Chris Lemay, has won four straight Western Athletic Conference regular-season titles and earned five NCAA Tournament appearances, including the program's second at-large berth in 2025. In 2025, the Wolverines also earned three Academic All-Americans, two Scholar All-Americans and one TopDrawerSoccer All-American.
"We are honored to welcome Vess to the team," said Lemay. "With the changing landscape of college athletics, having a strategic expert to bounce ideas off will be impactful for creative planning. Vess is a proven leader that will bring a different perspective to the program. This announcement is a continued statement of the investment and support that Utah Valley is serious about competing at the highest level of NCAA Division I soccer. Vess will provide the players and staff with yet another resource to perform at our best level. We are excited to welcome and get started with Vess. Go UVU."
On the men's side, Michael Chesler enters his first season as head coach after serving nine seasons on staff in multiple roles, including associate head coach and interim head coach. During his time with the program, the Wolverines have earned an NCAA Tournament berth, multiple postseason appearances and produced numerous all-conference and professional players.
"This is an exciting step for our program," said Chesler. "Having someone with Vess's experience and leadership supporting both teams will make a real impact. It gives us additional resources and perspective as we continue to grow and compete."
Pearson's appointment reflects Utah Valley's continued commitment to growth and competitive success as both soccer programs look to build on their momentum in the years ahead.
