GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida has hired a new executive associate athletics director for internal affairs, filling the void left by Chip Howard's recent departure.

The Gators have tabbed Kansas State administrator Laird Veatch for the position. Veatch was previously the deputy athletics director for the Wildcats and has been with Kansas State for seven years.

"We could not be more excited to have someone with Laird's skills and background joining our staff," Florida athletics director Scott Stricklin said in a press release. "Laird possesses significant relationship building experience and expertise in intercollegiate athletics both on the institutional and private sector sides, and he has a great perspective on what it takes to be successful. He is a great fit and we welcome him and his family into the Gator Nation."

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Leatch has plenty of experience getting major projects done, something Florida was looking for in a new administrator with Howard gone. Howard had helped oversee numerous major construction projects within the athletics department.

Florida currently has plans for about $100 million in facilities upgrades, with a $60 million stand-alone football facility on the docket.

Leatch helped oversee an $85 million stadium expansion at Kansas State, as well as a $65 million football training complex that was completed in seven months in between football seasons.

The Gators hope to break ground on their own facility by year's end, though the timeline for the project is much more conservative, with an estimated completion date by summer of 2019.

With Leatch on board and his experience in that department, perhaps that timeline could be accelerated.

He has previous experience as an administrator for Learfield Sports (2003-10), as well as Iowa State (2002-03), Missouri (1997-2002) and Texas (1995-97).

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Contact Thomas Goldkamp by 247Sports' personal messaging system or on Twitter at @ThomasGoldkamp.