In support of the University's capital campaign, which entered its leadership or silent phase July 1, Ed Allenby last week announced a new organizational structure for institutional advancement and several new appointments at the Foundation.

"UConn's fund-raising initiative will help take the University to the next level," said Allenby, president of the UConn Foundation and vice president for institutional advancement. "This ambitious effort presents tremendous opportunities and challenges for Institutional Advancement and the University," he told staff.

Central to the new organization is Allenby's new role as chief development officer and campaign director. Allenby will continue to oversee all functional areas of institutional advancement. Operational responsibilities have been assigned to Lori Aronson and Maribeth Amyot.

Under the reorganization, day-to-day oversight of alumni relations, University communications and campus and community events has been assigned to Aronson, associate vice president for institutional advancement.

The Foundation has been restructured as one unit, combining all functions under a senior vice president. Previously, the Foundation's development functions and administration and finance were separate, each reporting to a vice president. Amyot, formerly vice president for administration and finance, has been promoted to senior vice president, reporting to Allenby, and will oversee all Foundation operations.

"Maribeth's appointment ensures that the Foundation will no longer be divided artificially into two halves but instead function cohesively," said Allenby. "Such unity will become even more apparent when the Foundation takes occupancy of its new building later next year."

Amyot, who joined the Foundation in 1994 has 16 years of prior senior-level advancement experience, including 12 years at West Virginia University, where she helped lead a successful capital campaign.

"This organizational structure frees Ed to lead the campaign effort and to focus his energies on development of our board of directors and on securing those gifts with the potential to transform the University," said Amyot.

Two associate vice presidents have been appointed to provide day-to-day management of development - one for central development programs, including the annual fund, corporate and foundation relations, and gift planning, and one for major gifts..

Nancy Schroeder has been named acting associate vice president for central development programs, effective October 1. Former director of gift planning, Schroeder has also previously directed the Wadsworth Atheneum's capital campaign and served as deputy director for fund raising at the William Benton Museum of Art.

Kenneth Hicks will be associate vice president for major gifts, effective October 19. Hicks will join UConn from Drexel University, where he is assistant vice president for campaign operations.

A third associate vice president will be responsible for administration and finance. Charles Eaton has been named to that position, beginning October 26. Eaton, a UConn alumnus, is currently executive director at Rome McGuigan Sabanosh, P.C., where he oversees all financial, administrative and personnel issues.

External relations will constitute the fourth function. Mark Drozdowski will continue to serve as director of external relations, which encompasses stewardship and communications for the Foundation as well as for the capital campaign.

"This reorganization serves both the long-term interests of the University's development program and the immediate needs of the capital campaign," said Allenby. "I firmly believe that, as a result of this restructuring, the foundation and the University will emerge even stronger in the years to come."