BERKELEY – Jonathan Okanes, an accomplished storyteller and leader on the Cal Athletics communications staff for more than a decade, has been promoted to Associate Athletic Director for Communications, Cal Chief Marketing & Communications Officer Markeisha Everett announced Wednesday.
 
Okanes formally stepped into the new role after serving in the interim director role since late May when longtime communications director Herb Benenson retired after 32 years at Cal. He previously held the titles of associate director for communications and managing editor for CalBears.com.
 
"We're thrilled to elevate Jonathan into this permanent role as Associate Athletic Director for Communications," Everett said. "Jonathan's wealth of experience as a storyteller, his understanding of local and national media markets and his commitment to the core values of our athletics department made him an ideal fit for this position."
 
Okanes' role as the managing editor for CalBears.com has resulted in award-winning, in-depth storytelling about the many faces throughout Cal Athletics. He is a 10-time College Sports Communicators District Writing winner or runner-up and was a part of Cal's inaugural Emerging Leaders Program class in 2021. In his 10 years on staff at Cal, Okanes has been the primary communications contact for 10 of the Bears' 30 varsity sport programs and has led written content strategies surrounding the football program.
 
"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to oversee our storytelling efforts here at Cal Athletics," Okanes said. "Our student-athletes, coaches and staff represent the best of what intercollegiate athletics have to offer, and I look forward to spearheading our mission of showcasing their accomplishments both in and out of competition."
 
A native of Concord, California and a longtime fixture in Bay Area sports media, Okanes spent nine years as the Bay Area News Group's Cal football and men's basketball beat writer prior to joining the Bears in August 2012. His coverage of Cal included the men's basketball team's 2006 NCAA Tournament appearance and the likes of Golden Bear greats DeSean Jackson, Cam Jordan, Jahvid Best and Leon Powe, among others. He previously wrote for the Antioch Ledger Dispatch as well as the Santa Barbara News-Press.
 
Okanes received his bachelor's degree in communication studies from UC Santa Barbara. He and his family reside in Walnut Creek, California.