Interim hired to lead Indiana State foundation

[Jason Svoboda]

Advancement veteran J. Douglas Smith was hired through The Registry, an organization that assists universities with finding senior leaders to fill interim roles on campuses across the nation.

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[WOZ]

Advancement veteran J. Douglas Smith was hired through The Registry, an organization that assists universities with finding senior leaders to fill interim roles on campuses across the nation.

More...

This is a critical time for ISU with the arrival of a new president, the need to raise funds and increase our endowment, and now the hiring of Smith.
I’m concerned about the interim tag though. Is he being hired to just keep the ship afloat until a permanent VP is hired, or is he interested in a permanent role himself? I like the fact he was instrumental in RHI’s fundraising campaign and knows Terre Haute.

 

[Bally #50]

This is a critical time for ISU with the arrival of a new president, the need to raise funds and increase our endowment, and now the hiring of Smith.
I’m concerned about the interim tag though. Is he being hired to just keep the ship afloat until a permanent VP is hired, or is he interested in a permanent role himself? I like the fact he was instrumental in RHI’s fundraising campaign and knows Terre Haute.

Woz, I wondered that as well when I read it and although I have not talked to anyone yet, my guess is that he has already been to Terre Haute at RHIT, that he felt comfortable here, knows the area, and they likely have the foresight to hire him if he excels. My guess is that he will and the Registry will pick up a nice sum for his hiring. Stay tuned.

 

[shootingsycamore]

Woz, I wondered that as well when I read it and although I have not talked to anyone yet, my guess is that he has already been to Terre Haute at RHIT, that he felt comfortable here, knows the area, and they likely have the foresight to hire him if he excels. My guess is that he will and the Registry will pick up a nice sum for his hiring. Stay tuned.

Woz, Bally,
A little background might be helpful as to how the Foundation got to be a train wreck. Gene Crume and Dan Bradley hated each other. I saw it in person. Gene was determined to have the Foundation totally seperate from the University. That only happens at major Univ. with endowments of over $1B. Gene spent the Foundtion into the ground. The Foundation was taking 10% per year from the Endowment to balance the budget. Prudent management dictates that no more than 3-4% be "gifted off" to any person or institution. They were charging 10% management fees for $$ undermanagement. Usually a fee of 1.25-1.5% is considered correct. Gene Crume was fired and received 6 months salary. In 2012 I was on the search committee for his replacement. Ron Caprenter called me and asked what the salary was. I told him, the total package was worth over $250,000/ yr with a salary of over $220,000. He said that's all he needed to know. He served 5 years before being fired at HC this past year. During those 5 years there was very little "Development" work completed. In those 5 years the Foundation lost it's independence and was absorbed by the Univ. Ron C. produced very liittle if anything in that time. Neither he nor Dan Bradley have any idea about Development or Fundraising, seen it first hand too often. Ron C.will be paid through 2018. The Foudnation Board is nothing but an ATM with many members sick of it. They have no power. Usually a Board has hire and fire authority over the Ex. Dir. or hired leader and they have none. The Registry has been paid a fee for providing a candidate. He won't stay long, the rebuilding effort for the Foudnation is a multi - year and a career killer for professionals on the way up the ladder. Not being negative but truthful.

 

[Bally #50]

Woz, Bally,
A little background might be helpful as to how the Foundation got to be a train wreck. Gene Crume and Dan Bradley hated each other. I saw it in person. Gene was determined to have the Foundation totally seperate from the University. That only happens at major Univ. with endowments of over $1B. Gene spent the Foundtion into the ground. The Foundation was taking 10% per year from the Endowment to balance the budget. Prudent management dictates that no more than 3-4% be "gifted off" to any person or institution. They were charging 10% management fees for $$ undermanagement. Usually a fee of 1.25-1.5% is considered correct. Gene Crume was fired and received 6 months salary. In 2012 I was on the search committee for his replacement. Ron Caprenter called me and asked what the salary was. I told him, the total package was worth over $250,000/ yr with a salary of over $220,000. He said that's all he needed to know. He served 5 years before being fired at HC this past year. During those 5 years there was very little "Development" work completed. In those 5 years the Foundation lost it's independence and was absorbed by the Univ. Ron C. produced very liittle if anything in that time. Neither he nor Dan Bradley have any idea about Development or Fundraising, seen it first hand too often. Ron C.will be paid through 2018. The Foudnation Board is nothing but an ATM with many members sick of it. They have no power. Usually a Board has hire and fire authority over the Ex. Dir. or hired leader and they have none. The Registry has been paid a fee for providing a candidate. He won't stay long, the rebuilding effort for the Foudnation is a multi - year and a career killer for professionals on the way up the ladder. Not being negative but truthful.

SS, as you know, I am well aware of much of that. It clearly has proven to be a cluster fuck for decades. As I said, I was conjectoring about the interim guy possibly staying. My initial thought was that the hire made a lot of sense and knowing we need INSTANT help there, I personally like the idea. It was Dr. Curtis’ first major move and I like it. I have nothing to base it on. We’ll see. It can only go up!

 

[shootingsycamore]

SS, as you know, I am well aware of much of that. It clearly has proven to be a cluster fuck for decades. As I said, I was conjectoring about the interim guy possibly staying. My initial thought was that the hire made a lot of sense and knowing we need INSTANT help there, I personally like the idea. It was Dr. Curtis’ first major move and I like it. I have nothing to base it on. We’ll see. It can only go up!

Bally, we shall see. I'm very encouraged by the move Dr. Curtis has made. She understands the value of fundraising. If I were a Development Officer with the Foundation I'd be out the door. Many if not all will be replaced. As mentioned, it will take several years to rebuild the Foundation and the cultivation process. Most people don't understand the depth of relaionship necessary to ask for a high six to seven figure gift.

 

[Hooper]

Woz, Bally,
A little background might be helpful as to how the Foundation got to be a train wreck. Gene Crume and Dan Bradley hated each other. I saw it in person. Gene was determined to have the Foundation totally seperate from the University. That only happens at major Univ. with endowments of over $1B. Gene spent the Foundtion into the ground. The Foundation was taking 10% per year from the Endowment to balance the budget. Prudent management dictates that no more than 3-4% be "gifted off" to any person or institution. They were charging 10% management fees for $$ undermanagement. Usually a fee of 1.25-1.5% is considered correct. Gene Crume was fired and received 6 months salary. In 2012 I was on the search committee for his replacement. Ron Caprenter called me and asked what the salary was. I told him, the total package was worth over $250,000/ yr with a salary of over $220,000. He said that's all he needed to know. He served 5 years before being fired at HC this past year. During those 5 years there was very little "Development" work completed. In those 5 years the Foundation lost it's independence and was absorbed by the Univ. Ron C. produced very liittle if anything in that time. Neither he nor Dan Bradley have any idea about Development or Fundraising, seen it first hand too often. Ron C.will be paid through 2018. The Foudnation Board is nothing but an ATM with many members sick of it. They have no power. Usually a Board has hire and fire authority over the Ex. Dir. or hired leader and they have none. The Registry has been paid a fee for providing a candidate. He won't stay long, the rebuilding effort for the Foudnation is a multi - year and a career killer for professionals on the way up the ladder. Not being negative but truthful.

He was fired? If that's the case I'm most impressed with the ISU Spin Room making it look voluntary! A nice farewell reception, food spread, hugs, and warm words and mementos from Bradley. Well played ISU administration!

Crume was a peach. How many women were there? And the Victoria National membership he had paid by the Foundation---that was so freakin' bold you almost have to admire the guy.

 

[WOZ]

Woz, Bally,
A little background might be helpful as to how the Foundation got to be a train wreck. Gene Crume and Dan Bradley hated each other. I saw it in person. Gene was determined to have the Foundation totally seperate from the University. That only happens at major Univ. with endowments of over $1B. Gene spent the Foundtion into the ground. The Foundation was taking 10% per year from the Endowment to balance the budget. Prudent management dictates that no more than 3-4% be "gifted off" to any person or institution. They were charging 10% management fees for $$ undermanagement. Usually a fee of 1.25-1.5% is considered correct. Gene Crume was fired and received 6 months salary. In 2012 I was on the search committee for his replacement. Ron Caprenter called me and asked what the salary was. I told him, the total package was worth over $250,000/ yr with a salary of over $220,000. He said that's all he needed to know. He served 5 years before being fired at HC this past year. During those 5 years there was very little "Development" work completed. In those 5 years the Foundation lost it's independence and was absorbed by the Univ. Ron C. produced very liittle if anything in that time. Neither he nor Dan Bradley have any idea about Development or Fundraising, seen it first hand too often. Ron C.will be paid through 2018. The Foudnation Board is nothing but an ATM with many members sick of it. They have no power. Usually a Board has hire and fire authority over the Ex. Dir. or hired leader and they have none. The Registry has been paid a fee for providing a candidate. He won't stay long, the rebuilding effort for the Foudnation is a multi - year and a career killer for professionals on the way up the ladder. Not being negative but truthful.

C.D. Thanks for the info. I was never a fan of Ron being the Foundation director, believing that we needed a true professional in that area.
How are members of the Foundation Board selected? This all sounds so embarrassing!