About AFPWM > History

The AFP-WM was established in 1984 under the guidance of Russ Gabier, who was Executive Director of the Western Michigan University Foundation at the time. Russ attended a Detroit meeting of the NSFRE, National Association of Fund Raising Executives, where he learned of the possibility of establishing a chapter in west Michigan. Russ served as our first president and was joined by Nancy Owen as the secretary and treasurer of the chapter. The first chapter administrator was Harriet Folz Angell, who was followed by Ethel Mitchell and Jean Forrest. The current chapter administrator is Deb O'Donnell at Aquinas College.

In the early 1990's the chapter established endowment funds at the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids Community Foundations. These endowments, funded annually through chapter program revenues and individual donations, continue to generate scholarship awards for individuals pursuing training in fundraising. Throughout the years the chapter has continued to grow to its current base of nearly 200 members. The following list includes the distinguished presidents who have led our chapter.

1985 - Russell Gabier, CFRE

1986 - Russell Gabier, CFRE

1987 - Donald Distelberg, CFRE

1988 - Donald Distelberg, CFRE

1989 - Leonard Holt, CFRE

1990 - Leonard Holt, CFRE

1991 - S. Mark Terman, CFRE

1992 - S. Mark Terman, CFRE

1993 - S. Mark Terman, CFRE

1994 - Daryl Vogel, CFRE

1995 - Nancy Owen, CFRE

1996 - Nancy Owen, CFRE

1997 - Robert Berkhof, CFRE

1998 - Gary Faircloth

1999 - Alice Kemerling, CFRE

2000 - Ronald Rozema

2001 - Debra Minton, CFRE

2002 - Scott Wolterink, CFRE

2003 - Lon Swartzentruber

2004 - William Weitzel

2005 - Lynn Jackson

2006 - Jay Ediger