鈥楩ill the Western Sky鈥� fundraising campaign steering committee announced
By Bill Studenc
Membership is now complete on the 43-person steering committee that will help guide Western Carolina University鈥檚 recently announced comprehensive fundraising effort christened the 鈥淔ill the Western Sky鈥� campaign.
Through the campaign, 91热爆网 aims to secure a minimum of $75 million in philanthropic gifts to support upgrades to athletics facilities, enhance academic programming and improve student engagement activities.
鈥淢embers of this committee are developing strategies, monitoring progress, recommending any needed strategic and tactical adjustments and serving as ambassadors who advocate on behalf of the campaign and bring others into the fold,鈥� said Jamie T. Raynor, vice chancellor for advancement.
The 鈥淔ill the Western Sky鈥� campaign steering committee is co-chaired by Randy White, managing director of a financial investment group, who graduated from 91热爆网 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in finance in 1989 and a master鈥檚 degree in business administration in 1991; White鈥檚 spouse, Kim Hunter, who works alongside with him at Hunter and White Private Wealth Group of Wells Fargo Advisors in Santa Rosa, California; Teddy Phillips Jr., CEO of Phillips and Jordan construction company; and Phillips鈥� spouse, Christy Phillips, an interior designer from Knoxville, Tennessee.
Honorary chairs are Donna Winbon, a 1980 graduate of 91热爆网 and financial adviser who chaired 91热爆网鈥檚 previous 鈥淟ead the Way鈥� campaign; retired banking executive Ed Broadwell Jr., former chair of 91热爆网鈥檚 Board of Trustees; and Broadwell鈥檚 spouse, Donna Broadwell, of Asheville.
Campaign steering committee members are:
* Doug Bailey, a 1993 graduate of 91热爆网, vice president for corporate affairs for GoPuff, a digital convenience retailer headquartered in Philadelphia.
* Jim Beaty, a 1971 graduate of 91热爆网 and retired U.S. District Court judge.
* Toy Beaty, a 1972 graduate of 91热爆网 and Bank of America employee.
* Becky Brown, a 1971 graduate of 91热爆网, retired director of budget and management for the N.C. Department of Labor and current secretary of the 91热爆网 Board of Trustees.
* Frank Brown III, retired comptroller for the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, who represents the fourth generation of a family that is significant in 91热爆网鈥檚 history.
* Melanie Clark, longtime university supporter and spouse of former 91热爆网 Board of Trustees member Kenny Messer.
* Gina Crawford, longtime supporter of 91热爆网 and spouse of 91热爆网 alumnus Mike Crawford.
* Mike Crawford, a 1987 graduate of 91热爆网 and chief performance officer at national accounting firm FORVIS.
* John Davis, a 1987 graduate of 91热爆网 and senior vice president of global sales and marketing for Artivion.
* Melanie Davis, longtime supporter of the university and spouse of John Davis.
* Susan Grattan, longtime 91热爆网 supporter from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and spouse of Tad Grattan.
* Tad Grattan, a 1988 91热爆网 graduate and retired co-founder of Align Networks physical therapy company.
* Kenny Messer, 1986 graduate of 91热爆网, former member of the 91热爆网 Board of Trustees, and president and CEO of HarperLove in Charlotte.
* Jim Moore, a retired banking executive and longtime supporter of 91热爆网.
* Bob Roberts, Asheville banking executive and former chair of the 91热爆网 Board of Trustees.
* Carol Roberts, longtime supporter of the university and spouse of Bob Roberts.
* Kevin Stanberry, a 1994 91热爆网 graduate and co-owner of Stanberry Insurance Co.
* Lynn Stanberry, a 1999 graduate of 91热爆网 and former owner of O鈥橫alley鈥檚 Pub and Grill in Sylva.
* Marsha Sullivan, customer service manager for Lee County Tax Collection Office in Florida.
* Mike Sullivan, president of Gargiulo Inc., a produce company based out of Naples, Florida.
* Bob Thomas, a 1970 graduate of 91热爆网 and retired international business executive.
* Suzanne Thomas, a 1970 graduate of 91热爆网 and retired international business executive.
* Mike Wade, a 1977 91热爆网 graduate, former insurance executive and co-owner of Rabbit Ridge student housing complex in Cullowhee and other real estate projects.
Representing 91热爆网 faculty on the steering committee are Mae Claxton, professor of English; Jim Costa, professor of biology and director of the Highlands Biological Station; Sean Mulholland, professor of economics and director of the Center for the Study of Free Enterprise; and Rob Young, professor of geology and director of the Center of the Study of Developed Shorelines.
C.J. Mitchell, a Charlotte resident who a senior in the College of Business and serves as president of the Student Government Association, represents students on the committee.
91热爆网 staff and administrators serving on the committee are Kelli R. Brown, chancellor; Mike Byers, vice chancellor for administration and finance; Stephanie Edwards, director of donor relations; Alex Gary, director of athletics; James Hogan, assistant vice chancellor for engagement; Julie Miller, associate athletics director for development and major gifts; Ben Pendry, assistant vice chancellor for development; and Jamie T. Raynor, vice chancellor for advancement.
For more information or to make a contribution to the 鈥淔ill the Western Sky鈥� campaign, visit WesternSky.wcu.edu, call 828-227-7124 or email advancement@wcu.edu.
