The Jefferson College Foundation has a new leader.
Blake Tilley, the foundation’s new executive director of development and strategic communications, took over the job Oct. 26, filling the vacancy after Karen Wicks retired from the position in June.
Tilley, who previously worked in fundraising for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Foundation in St. Louis, said he was hoping to find new challenges when he applied for the job, and he hasn’t been disappointed.
Anyone working in fundraising anywhere must do so under restrictions put in place to stem the spread of COVID-19, which can limit gathering-size, if not gatherings altogether, Tilley said.
“In this COVID environment, things aren’t exactly normal,” he said. “I look forward to the time we can all move freely again, especially meeting donors.”
Until then, however, fundraising work on behalf of the college must move forward, Tilley said.
“We immediately issued letters to donors (upon his arrival),” Tilley said. “I called donors to introduce myself and to recognize those donors who have made tremendous contributions.
“I’ve been actively meeting with faculty and board members to get to know the processes of the college and to become familiar with the leadership of the college.”
College Board of Trustees members voted unanimously in October to hire Tilley, who will be paid an $82,805 annual salary. Wicks was being paid $90,243 when she left the job.
College President Dena McCaffrey said she felt Tilley stood out among the 26 applicants for the job.
“We had a really good pack of candidates,” she said. “But, not only in his interviews was Blake very personal and engaging, but he also has extensive fundraising experience. His qualifications really speak to his ability to develop relationships, his strong communications skills and his overall fundraising experience.”
Tilley worked for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Foundation in St. Louis from 2005-2019, during which he held a variety of progressively advanced jobs, including manager of Planned Giving Communications, director of Internet and Planned Giving Communications, and senior vice president of Marketing and Communications. He also previously worked for Concordia Publishing House and was a National Shepherd’s staff trainer.
According to information supplied by the college, Tilley has written and received grants; conducted direct mail initiatives; managed disaster responses; and raised more than $2 million annually over the phone. In his role as an internal and external communicator, he has performed tasks as a writer, editor, graphic designer, webmaster, event/volunteer coordinator and database manager.
He has bachelor’s degrees in fine arts and marketing from Southeast Missouri State University, as well as a Master of Business Administration degree from Webster University.
Tilley, 45, and his wife, Amy, live in Brentwood with their three sons.