GARY D. THORUD, PH.D.

3170 Honeysuckle Road Largo, Florida 3770

727-953-3112 gtd4b176@westpost.net
Search Committee

Dear Search Committee,

My letter and revised resume are in search of a senior executive nonprofit posit
ion. My credentials and experience in developing successful, visionary, proactiv
e and innovative leadership and outreach are an ideal match for a significant po
sition and mission.
I have over 25 years of national and international nonprofit executive managemen
t experience in: administration; affiliate and chapter development and oversight
; organization, board and resource development; rescuing organizations; financia
l accountability; staff recruitment and development; development of global confe
rences; consulting; grant supervision; starting and supervising start-up organiz
ations to directing 400 staff and $125,000,000 income; bringing together divers
e cultures and interests for achieving common goals; marketing; membership recru
itment; strategic planning; program/system development; networking and partnersh
ip development with diverse corporate, government and nonprofit entities; common
ality development; publicity, public relations and communications; motivational
speaking and working with the media; and recruitment, motivation and supervisio
n of tens of thousands of volunteers.
A few of my strengths which are essential to this position are:
BOARD DEVELOPMENT: I have recruited prominent and wealthy board members; develo
ped boards and provided their training; partnered with prominent political, reli
gious and business leaders around the world; recruited tens of thousands of volu
nteers from corporate CEOS to unemployed; and helped initiate or redevelop major
nonprofit institutions with boards of top corporate and indigenous CEOs in over
25 countries and the United States.
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT: My experience covers every phase of nonprofit resource de
velopment: blocked currency transaction; board giving; campaigns; cause related
marketing; CFC; church, corporate, foundation and government giving/grants; debt
conversion; U.S. and international direct mail and donor acquisition; employee
giving; in-kind gifts; major donor identification, development and solicitation;
matching funds; merchandise sales; planned giving; major events; telemarketing;
telethons; athonsa; US/International affiliate/chapter dues; and website giving
.
My career emphasizes creative development of innovative income initiatives based
upon the strength and mission of the organization, understanding of the potenti
al and existing donor base, individuals to implement the program and recipients
and partners of our services. To meet the challenges I athink outside the boxa w
hich will be of significant benefit to the organization. A few examples of my di
versified fundraising are:
* Board Giving: Increased or started board member giving - $1,000 - $800,000; a
nd Created Boards of Trustees and Advisory Boards with substantial networks.
* Celebrity Recruitment: Recruited and worked with major celebrities as spokesp
ersons for the organizations I represented.
Search Committee
Page Two
* Direct mail: Designed, developed and supervised U.S. and overseas direct mail
-$100,000 - $80,000,000 per year.
* Grants: Secured grants from USAID, EPA, Department of Commerce, USIA, State D
epartment and DOE, and private and major foundations - $5,000 - $20,000,000.
* Major Donor Development: Secured numerous major gifts: individual gifts - $1,
000-$1,000,000+; organization gifts - $1,000- $2,000,000; corporate gifts - $1,0
00- $3,000,000; every conceivable in-kind gift; and capital campaigns - $1,000,0
00-$14,000,000.
* Planned giving: Developed Remainder Deeds, Charitable Gift Annuities, Lead Tr
ust and Pooled Income Funds, planned giving websites, and supervised staff in th
e field.
* Special Events: Developed: Walk-a-thons across America a" raising millions; f
or-profit support; March of Dimes - 1,000,000 volunteer hours/$1,000,000 annuall
y; Combined Federal Campaign; MDA telethon - $750,000; black tie events - $100,0
00 to $1,000,000+; and other events raising $1,000,000+.
* Telemarketing and Website Giving: Responsible for two centers which sold merc
handise, served donors and counseled people in need.
PARTNERSHIPS: Created numerous profitable partnerships resulting in acquiring p
riority program status, significant program funding and increase in the core of
volunteers for fundraising, marketing and program support. A few examples are:
* Corporations: Secured CEO/major executives support to serve on boards, networ
k to other funding sources and to provide funding for organizations.
* Education: Partnered with school districts and universities.
* Service Clubs: Secured national program status and fundraising with many ser
vice club organizations.
* Governments: Recruitment of individuals with senior status to support initiat
ives and developed brand-marketing program.
* Social Services: Worked with a wide range of social agencies in many states a
nd at the Federal level to support my organization.
STAFF SUPPORT: Supervised staff in all 50 states and overseas and developed tra
ining manuals and support on-site and at the national office.
STRATEGIC PLANNING: Development of an integrated strategic resource development
plan is critical to success. I research the strength and weaknesses of the orga
nization, ability to deliver services, existing and potential revenue streams an
d existing networking. I work with the board and staff to develop a plan that is
specific, measurable, achievable and compatible.
VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT: In the U.S. and around the world, recruited over 30,000
volunteers from prominent, wealthy, political and religious leaders, royalty and
CEOs to the unemployed, to serve on boards of directors and assist projects as
volunteers.
In addition I am a visionary with creative insight into donor needs, plan and im
plement effective strategic initiatives, serve as a team player, develop excepti
onal and unique partnerships, am well organized and a good listener with a good
sense of humor, possess strong communication and motivation skills, have a stron
g work ethic, serve as a trouble shooter in difficult situations, work independe
ntly, insure transparency and accountability, am a self-starter who motivates ot
hers through leadership, work well in a fast-paced environment, and comfortably
handle a variety of opportunities and challenges simultaneously with strong foll
ow-through.
Search Committee
Page Three
For 30 years my life has been dedicated to service. I need to feel I am making a
 difference with my life and that my participation and service is making a diffe
rence in the lives of people in harms way. As my resume outlines, in my years of
nonprofit service I have been involved in a wide variety of programs supporting
children in need around the world.
Millions of women and children suffer negative life altering impact for a variet
y of reasons beyond their control. There is great frustration because they reach
out but find no helping hands. I have worked with these women and children and
know the frustration that arises from lack of hope. I have seen and been touched
by children on the streets and in the hovels of poverty. Children have died in
my arms. I know the lonely cries of the scared and homeless.
In each of the programs I developed directly or indirectly, the development of v
oluntary concepts necessary to support the nonprofit sector; an increase in the
overall financial resources available to them; the elimination of duplicative an
d wasteful voluntary programs; enhancement of communication and cooperation amon
g these organizations; an increase in program and decision-making participation
by citizens; and the promotion of sound management, efficiency and cost-effectiv
eness, and transparency among nonprofit organizations was our goal.
My attached my resume outlines my service, including numerous positions where I
was brought in to redevelop and strengthen an organization or start and organiza
tion from the beginning, both here in the United States and around the world. So
me information in the resume has been repeated so that it becomes a freestanding
document.
As a dramatic bonus to my service, my wife LaVonne, who has a Ph.D. in education
, will be a part of my success as she would serve as a volunteer on my staff. I
would be pleased to provide you with her resume.
I look forward to discussing this major opportunity with you.
Sincerely,
Gary D. Thorud, Ph.D.
Attachments
Gary Thorud Resume
Global Experience

GARY D. THORUD, PH.D.

3170 Honeysuckle Road Largo, Florida 3770
727-953-3112 gtd4b176@westpost.net
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
My resume outlines over 25 years of executive nonprofit experience and includes
positions where I was brought in during or after a crisis to assist an organizat
ion.
Areas of Expertise
BOARD DEVELOPMENT: Recruited prominent and wealthy board members; developed boar
ds and provided their training; partnered with prominent political, religious an
d business leaders around the world; recruited tens of thousands of volunteers f
rom corporate CEOS to unemployed; and helped initiate or redevelop major nonprof
it institutions with boards of top corporate and indigenous CEOs in over 25 coun
tries and the United States.
NETWORKING: Developed networks and partnerships with local, state, national, an
d international governments, executives and their corporations, foundations, org
anizations, religious entities, and domestic and foreign nonprofit organization
s.
ORGANIZATION OVERSIGHT: Experience covers administration; U.S. and internationa
l affiliate development and oversight; organization, board, and resource develop
ment; rescuing organizations; financial accountability; staff recruitment and de
velopment; global conferences; consulting; grant development and supervision; st
arting/supervising organizations to directing 400 staff and $100,000,000 income;
bringing together diverse cultures and interests; marketing; membership recruit
ment; strategic planning; program/system development; networking and partnership
development; public relations and communications; motivational speaking and wor
king with the media; and recruitment, motivation and supervision of thousands of
volunteers.
PARTNERSHIPS: Created numerous strategic and profitable partnerships resulting
in acquiring priority program status, significant program funding and increase i
n the core of volunteers for fundraising, marketing and program support. A few e
xamples are:
* Corporations: Secured CEO/major executives support to serve on boards, networ
k to other funding sources and to provide funding for organizations.
* Education: Partnered with school districts and universities.
* Governments: Recruitment of individuals with senior status to support initiat
ives and developed brand-marketing program.
* Service Clubs: Secured national program status and fundraising with many ser
vice club organizations.
* Social Service Organizations: Worked with a wide range of social agencies in
many states and at the Federal level to support my organization.
PERSONAL SKILLS: Visionary with creative insight into donor needs, I plan and i
mplement effective strategic initiatives, serve as a team player, develop unique
partnerships, am well organized and a good listener with a good sense of humor
and positive attitude, exemplify a strong work ethic, serve as a trouble shooter
in difficult situations, work independently, insure transparency and accountabi
lity, am a self-starter who motivates others through leadership, work well in a
fast-paced environment and comfortably handle a variety of opportunities and cha
llenges simultaneously with strong follow-through.
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT: Creative development of innovative income initiatives bas
ed upon the strength and mission of the organization, understanding of the poten
tial and existing donor base, individuals to implement the program and recipient
s and partners of our services. To meet the challenges I athink outside the boxa
which will be of significant benefit to the organization. A few examples of my
diversified fundraising are:
* Affiliate/Chapter Dues: Developed and supervised national and global programs
.
* Blocked Currency Transactions: Developed program for India.
* Board Giving: Increased or started board member giving - $1,000 - $800,000; a
nd Created Boards of Trustees and Advisory Boards with substantial networks.
* Capital Campaigns: $1,000,000 - $14,000,000.
* Cause Related Marketing: Worked with major corporations on global causes.
* Celebrity Recruitment: Recruited and worked with major celebrities as spokesp
ersons.
* Combined Federal Campaign: Worked in securing gifts and promoting NGOs.
* Corporate Giving and Support: Worked with major corporations in many countrie
s for in-kind, volunteers, board development, and major gifts to $20,000,000.
* Debt Conversion: Created first international debt-for-health program and work
ed with major university to develop their debt transactions.
* Direct mail: Designed, developed/supervised U.S./overseas direct mail -$100,00
0 - $80,000,000 per year.
* Grants: Secured grants from USAID, EPA, USIA, State Department and DOE, and p
rivate, corporate, and major foundations - $5,000 - $20,000,000.
* In-Kind Giving: Secured services, equipment, promotions and marketing, pharma
ceuticals and products from major corporations.
* Major Donor Development: Secured numerous major gifts: individual gifts - $1,
000-$1,000,000+; organization gifts - $1,000- $2,000,000; corporate gifts - $1,0
00- $3,000,000; every conceivable in-kind gift.
* Matching Funds: Worked with corporations for matching gifts.
* Planned giving: Developed numerous Remainder Deeds, Charitable Gift Annuities
, Lead Trust and Pooled Income Funds, and websites for planned giving.
* Special Events: Developed: Walk-a-thons across America a" raising millions; C
ombined Federal Campaign; MDA telethon - $750,000; black tie events - $100,000 t
o $1,000,000+; and other events raising $1,000,000+.
* Telemarketing and Website Giving: Responsible for two centers which sold merc
handise, served donors and counseled people in need.
STAFF SUPPORT: Supervised staff in all 50 states and overseas, developed traini
ng manuals and support on-site and at the national office.
STRATEGIC PLANNING: Developed numerous strategic and resource development plans
- critical to success. I research the organizationas strength and weaknesses, a
bility to deliver services, existing and potential revenue streams and existing
networking and work with the board and staff to develop a plan that is specific,
measurable, achievable and compatible.
VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT: Recruited tens of thousands of volunteers, from prominen
t, wealthy, political and religious leaders, royalty and CEOs to the unemployed,
to serve on boards of directors and assist projects around the world. My diplom
atic skills are validated by my selection by Israel and Jordan Foreign Ministrie
s and U.S. State Department to develop an organization to enhance the Middle Eas
t peace process and serve as the President. In this position I recruited Crown P
rince Hassan to serve as Chair of my International Advisory Board of Directors.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Executive Director
SPCA of Tampa Bay, Largo, FL 8/10 a" 9/10
* Reorganized management of 70 year old organization.
* Provided new input for stronger major event, major donor, direct mail, and f
oundation giving.
* Started to redevelop and create internal documents and marketing materials.
* Created new intensive staff participation in strategic planning.
* Began to rescue financials for audit and budgets for remaining fiscal year l
owering expenses.
* Began to develop Presidentas Council.
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President
HOSPICE CARING, INC., Gaithersburg, MD 5/08 a" 6/10
* Rejuvenated 20 year old organization.
* Increased major event and foundation giving and developed new income streams
.
* Redeveloped and created internal documents and marketing materials
* Created new intensive staff participating strategic plan.
* Exceeded budget for income generation and lowered expenses.
* Secured new board and board of advisor members.
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--------------------------------------------Executive Director
CRIME STOPPERS, INC., Minneapolis, MN 12/04 a" 1/07
* Rejuvenated 27 year old organization.
* Redeveloped bylaws, internal documents, marketing materials, and website.
* Created new strategic plan.
* Recruited new volunteers.
* Secured new board members.
* Developed partnerships with corporate, government, education, media and law
enforcement.
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Director of Development
PARKINSONaS INSTITUTE, Sunnyvale, CA 3/03 a" 9/04
* Developed $1,000,000+ gala from scratch in six months at boardas request.
* Developed new events, direct mail, and telemarketing campaign.
* Developed new Resource Development Plan, organization logo, and website.
* Recruited new volunteers.
* Secured new board members.
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Director of Development
CHILDRENaS HEARTLINK, Minneapolis, MN 8/01 a" 11/02
* Rejuvenated 30 year old organizationas limited resource development.
* Developed new marketing materials and enhanced website.
* Secured new board members.
* Recruited new volunteers.
* Oversaw $800,000 and developed $350,000 black tie events in same year.
* Developed new international partnership program.
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President and CEO
MULTILATERAL MIDDLE EAST INITIATIVE, Washington, DC 1/98 a" 8/01
* Selected by the State Department to develop a nonprofit organization from sc
ratch to
undertake programs in support of the Middle East peace process.
* Developed strategic plan and all internal and external documents.
* Created logo, marketing materials, and website.
* Developed partnerships with government agencies and leaders in the US and Mi
ddle East.
* Created International Board of Trustees with Prince Hassan as Chair.
* Created partnership with Ariel Sharon and Shimon Peres.
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Vice President of Development
CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING NETWORK, Virginia Beach, VA 10/96 a" 11/97
* Rejuvenated resource development and donor marketing for three organizations
with over
$100,000,000 annual income for CBN, Operation Blessing and the Flying Hospit
al.
* Supervision of 400 staff.
* After three months increased income every month over previous 10 years.
* Lowered expenses below previous years.
* Developed new direct mail and telemarketing campaigns.
* Increased major donor participation.
* Developed donor conference and planned giving outreach.
* Increased telethon giving.
* Developed new international partners.
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Senior Vice President
UNITED WAY INTERNATIONAL, Alexandria, VA 2/93 a" 8/96
* Redeveloped organization after Aramony scandal, starting with one staff/two
board members.
* Handled major scandal fall-out in the U.S. and around the world.
* Recruited seven staff and 24 new board members.
* Initiated new resource development and donor marketing that secured millions
of dollars in
government, corporate, individual, CFC, foundation and United Way grants.
* Developed new multi-year strategic plan.
* Recruited major volunteers.
* Developed affiliate dues, training, training manual and legal documents.
* Developed Chinaas nonprofit sector and organizations in 12 countries.
* Hosted major conferences in Florida, Singapore and Hungary.
* Secured corporate and organization partnerships in the US and overseas.
* Hired, trained, and supervising staff in eight countries.
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Executive Director
WATER FOR PEOPLE, Denver, CO 6/91 a" 11/92
* Restarted new organization.
* Developed internal documents, marketing materials, and website.
* Recruited thousands of volunteers.
* Secured major government, organization, corporate, and foundation grants.
* Secured corporate and individual donor gifts.
* Developed corporate partnerships.
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Executive Vice President
WORLD MERCY FUND, Alexandria, VA 1/88 a" 6/91
* Rejuvenated organization with activities in 33 countries.
* Redeveloped internal and external documents and created strategic plan.
* Completed first global debt for health program and trained major university
in debt swap.
* Developed organizations in five countries and recruited their board members.
* Developed direct mail fundraising and EU matching grants in five countries.
* Developed programs for 33 countries.
* Supervised staff in eight countries.
* Secured millions of dollars in grants and major individual/ planned gifts.
* Developed endorsement of global organization and corporate, organization and
government
partnerships in the US and overseas which tripled income.
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Regional Director
CARE, Orlando, FL and Washington, DC 1/86 a" 12/87
* Redeveloped two regional offices.
* Increased income from major black tie event, major donor gifts, and planned
giving.
* Secured endorsement of global organization resulting in millions of dollars
of new support.
* Recruited thousands of volunteers.
* Created new resource development and donor marketing materials.
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Executive Director
MISS T.E.E.N., Atlanta, GA 11/80 - 7/83
* Developed new franchising contracts.
* Tripled income and developed first pageant franchising operation in 50 state
s.
* Secured television contract and developed cause related and product marketin
g programs.
* Developed new participant direct mail program.
* Managed oversight of 22 franchise holders and staged state and national page
ants.
* Secured four year college scholarships for every state pageant winner.
* Recruited hundreds of volunteers.
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National Director
PROJECT CONCERN INTERNATIONAL, St. Louis, MO/Atlanta, GA 6/74 a" 10/80
* Developed new fundraising initiatives for international organization in 18 c
ountries.
* Traveled U.S. recruiting, training, and supervising volunteer walk directors
and staff.
* Developed and supervised over 1,000 walk-a-thons and recruited thousands of
volunteers.
* Developed endorsements by five major national and international organization
s.
* Developing cause related marketing programs.
* Supervised staff in 50 states and overseas and worked with major donors.
* Created award winning marketing materials and athonsa.
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AWARDS
* Over 100 awards for community service, business achievement * International
Whoas Who
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EDUCATION
Credits from Universities of Heidelberg, Maryland and Minnesota; My doctorate is
honorary from Catholic University in Quito, Ecuador in response to unique globa
l achievements; German and Ukrainian advanced studies; Numerous sales, managemen
t, and nonprofit seminars
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GLOBAL EXPERIENCE
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AUSTRALIA:
* Supervised expansion of the United Way of Australia.
* Recruited largest Melbourne charity to serve as United Way International aff
iliate.