Michael J. Poston Appointed Vice President for Advancement

Michael J. Poston, who has successfully led fundraising efforts in the higher education and medical industries for 30 years, has been appointed vice president for advancement, President Kent Chabotar announced March 1.

Poston was vice president and associate dean for development and alumni affairs for the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center from 1993 until February of this year. He has previously held positions at the University of Florida Health Science Center, Orlando Regional Medical Center, University Hospitals of Cleveland at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio and at Allegheny College (Pa.).

At Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, he led the organization and orchestration of a $200 million capital campaign which has exceeded its goal by $26 million with a year remaining. He was instrumental in raising $92 million in a capital campaign for the University of Florida Health Science Center in the late 1980s, exceeding a $69 million goal.

"Mike's proven record of success in capital and annual fundraising and the high regard he commands in the greater Greensboro community make him a perfect fit for Guilford College," said President Chabotar. "His grasp of all aspects of development is deep and impressive. Simply put, he knows what works and what does not, and his leadership will be critical as Guilford prepares for a capital campaign as part of its current long-range strategic plan.

"In addition to his fundraising ability, he is an excellent manager of people," Chabotar said. "He takes the time to leverage people's strengths and put together a roadmap that outlines clear and measurable action items. He will bring effective leadership to our Advancement Office and will be a strong contributor to our senior administrative team."

At Guilford, Poston will oversee the advancement staff including directors of development, corporate and foundation relations, development information, planned giving, prospect research, alumni relations and college relations.

As vice president and associate dean for development and alumni affairs at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Poston was responsible for all private gifts, grants and alumni and volunteer activities for the medical center. He strategically moved the performance of annual gift production from $6 million to $27 million.

As assistant vice president for the University of Florida Health Science Center from 1983-93, he identified, cultivated and solicited major gifts from individuals, foundations, corporations and organizations. As capital campaign director for Orlando Regional Medical Center in 1982-83, he conducted a feasibility study for a $10 million campaign for the pediatric hospital.

At University Hospitals of Cleveland at Case Western Reserve University from 1977-82, Poston identified and solicited new major gift prospects, individuals, foundations and corporations for priority needs for a $42 million capital campaign.   He served as director of development from 1980-82, associate director of development from 1979-80 and assistant director of development from 1977-79.

His higher education development experience dates to 1975, when he started a two-year term as assistant director of development at Allegheny College. He worked as a sales and marketing representative for Bristol-Myers Corporation (now Bristol-Myers-Squibb Corp.) in New York City from 1972-74.

Poston has contributed to symposia on philanthropy, served on regional and state fundraising councils and consulted with various organizations on fundraising. He has served on boards of directors or trustees for the YMCA, Boys Club and arts and theatre organizations.

A native of Wabash, Ind., Poston earned a bachelor's degree in education from Indiana University in 1972 and a master's degree in higher education administration and organizational behavior from Indiana in 1975.

At Guilford, he succeeds Charlie Patterson, who retired in December of last year after six years as vice president for advancement. Anne Hurd, the college's director of development, served as interim vice president.

March 1, 2005