History

Our local chapter was established in 1977 as the Greater Cincinnati Society of Fund Raising Executives. Spearheading the organization's founding, and serving as its first president, was J. Patrick Ryan, CFRE , currently president and CEO of Skystone Ryan. The seven other founding members were Diane Colonel, John Dreves, Kay Marsh Green, Ronald Keller, Walter Lincoln, Ed Maj, and Gregory Olberding.

By 1979, the organization had become the 20th chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives. Chapter members, in addition to the founders, were Chris Dunworth, Marcia Goldsmith, Doug Heesten, Dick Klus, Joann Marksberry, George Mongon, Herbert Ostrov and Ann Parker.

Over time, our chapter's membership has grown to include 95 members in 1986, 140 members in 1993, 235 members in 1998, and as many as 280 members in recent years. With this growth has come a tremendous increase in the number and quality of educational and networking opportunities for our local members.

The national organization - by now an international organization - was renamed the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2001 and now includes more than 170 chapters.

We extend our greatest appreciation to the following past presidents for their leadership which has been so instrumental in the life and growth of our chapter:

Past Presidents
1977-79 J. Patrick Ryan, CFRE
1979-80 Ronald J. Keller, CFRE
1980-81Gregory P. Olberding, CFRE
1981-82 Ann Parker, CFRE
1982-83 Chris Dunworth
1983-84 Herbert C. Ostrov, CFRE (Deceased)
1984-85 Joann R. Marksberry, CFRE
1985-86 George J. Mongon, CFRE
1986-87 Douglas A. Heesten, CFRE
1988 Richard P. Klus, CFRE
1989 Johnnie Boggio, CFRE
1990-91 Jeanne C. Rolfes, CFRE
1992-93 John C. Olberding, CFRE
1994-95 Cynthia Perry Colebrook, CFRE
1995-97 Wayne E. Burton, CFRE
1997-98 Ronald L. Molen, CFRE
1999 Janet Arena Burns, CFRE
2000 Michael P. Murray, CFRE
2001 Patricia A. Corcoran, CFRE
2002 Judie List Sweeney, CFRE
2003 Karen M. Ryals, CFRE
2004 Diane Ruder, CFRE
2005 Anita Cory Weimer, CFRE
2006 Mark Maxwell, CFRE
2007 Donna Coleman, CFRE
2008 Kathy Hunt, CFRE