Today the board approved the appointment of William (Marty) Coelho as Executive Director of College Advancement following a three-month national search. Coelho, who brings over 23 years of experience in a variety of external relations roles in higher education and non-profit organizations, will lead the college’s fundraising, alumni development, marketing and communications and will serve on the senior leadership team.

Coelho has fundraising experience, including: annual giving, marketing, corporate sponsorships, direct mail solicitation, grant writing, major gifts, membership programs, online giving, peer to peer programs, prospecting campaigns, and special events. He also co-founded the American Cancer Society’s National Corporate Team Program as a means to engage nationwide and regional companies in the Relay For Life movement.

“I am thrilled that we were able to attract an advancement authority with the proven experience that Marty Coelho will bring to his role as Executive Director for College Advancement,” said Snow-Flamer. “The CR Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board has made it clear that it’s imperative that we develop and implement strategic advancement objectives for the College including cultivating financial support, planned giving, alumni programming, special event planning. Marty will help meet the Board’s vision.”

“I’m looking forward to being part of the College of the Redwoods team” said Coelho.   “It’s important to understand the impact community colleges have on local communities.  For every $1 a student invests in their community college experience they will see a return of $4 and with every $1 of public money invested in a community college, $7 dollars is generated.  Expanding College of the Redwoods’ role in our north coast communities will benefit individuals, businesses, and our local economies.”

Coelho also designed and built marketing programs with Yankee Candle and Walmart worth $2.3 million.  He has helped build one of the ten largest Relay For Life events in the world that annually raised over $800,000 in the county. He oversaw a team that managed Relay For Life’s marketing research; it’s data collection, analysis, and benchmarking; development of all fundraising, branding, and communications/marketing strategies and materials; oversaw their websites, online fundraising, and social media.

“With the ever growing needs of CR students and programs the College of the Redwoods Foundation continues to be challenged to expand its financial support” said CR Foundation Board president Jim Davis.  “Marty Coelho with his excellent background and superior record of achievements in fund raising and marketing, along with his personal knowledge and active involvement in the communities we serve, will greatly enhance the Foundation’s abilities to meet this financial challenge. He will be a welcomed addition to the Foundation and college teams.”

Coelho also taught communications, management, marketing, marketing research, recreation leadership, sports administration, and sports marketing, including undergraduate and graduate courses for HSU.

“The college is very fortunate to hire someone with William Coelho’s skill set” said CR Trustee Tom Ross.  “His skills will help grow the college’s Foundation membership and increase student scholarship.  It will be great to have William out working in the community.”

Coelho’s hire was approved by the CR Board of Trustees at their meeting on Dec. 8, and he will begin work at CR on January 4.