Presbyterian College names new Office of Development administrators

Sept. 25, 2006

Presbyterian College has named two new key administrators in its Office of Development, both of whom will join the college this fall.

David Atchley of Matthews, N.C., will join the Presbyterian College administrative team as the college's new vice president for development, while PC alumnus Richard Shirley of Anderson, S.C., will join his alma mater as director of development and major gifts.

College president Dr. John Griffith welcomed both to the PC family.

"David Atchley and Richard Shirley are two outstanding individuals and leaders," he said. "David's educational background in the liberal arts, his experience in business and development, his upbringing in an education family – his father was president of Clemson – make him a uniquely qualified leader for PC's fundraising program. Similarly, Richard's leadership in banking and city government combined with his long and significant volunteer advocacy on behalf of PC assure that our development team is fully staffed with dedicated and talented individuals. I am very much looking forward to working with them in accomplishing our strategic priorities."

Wofford grad makes PC his new home

A 1987 graduate of Wofford College, Atchley is currently the associate vice president of development and major gifts at his alma mater, where his duties include engaging donors, corporations, and foundations – primarily in the Charlotte, N.C. area – and serving as a team leader guiding efforts to raise $105 million for permanent endowment.

PC's liberal arts mission and commitment to producing leaders for the global community were attractive reasons for pursuing the vice president's job.

"A liberal arts education is something I'm very familiar with as a Wofford graduate," he said. "I believe it's the wave of the future – a more global, less vertical, and broader education – and I look forward to being a part of what PC is building. For me personally, PC seems like the right opportunity to get involved."

Atchley said his new duties at PC, which he will resume full-time in November, also presented an opportunity to "come home." Born in Texas, he graduated from Daniel High School in Pickens County, S.C., before attending Wofford.

His initial goal at PC, he said, is to lead completion of the college's $160 million The Promise and the Challenge campaign. His experiences working in the private sector and as a college development officer, he said, should complement his skills working with potential donors.

Prior to serving at Wofford, Atchley was the founder and vice president of business development and sales at End2End Inc., a St. Petersburg, Fla., company that provided software and services with public safety applications for municipal markets.

From 1996 to 1999, he was the wireless national segment manager for the GTE Corporation (now Verizon), where he was recruited to lead the company's entry into the previously untapped public sector and government agency market. During his time with the company, he grew GTE Wireless' customer base from 68 to 138 and delivered a 400 percent increase in revenues in 1998. In 1997, he was ranked the company's top producer and earned its Winner Circle Award.

Atchley began his professional career in 1988 as an account executive for Dean Witter Reynolds in Stockton, Calif. From 1989 to 1996, he was founder and president of Integrated Education Systems Inc. of Pleasanton, Calif.,

He is an avid runner, having completed 27 marathons, and a former hospice volunteer. He is a graduate of Leadership Charlotte, a former member of the Young Entrepreneur Organization and a member of the Southeast Mecklenburg Rotary Club. A Charlotte member of the Tastevin Wine Group, he also served on the YMCA-Camp Thunderbird board of directors and the 2-1-1 advisory board for Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

Atchley said he looks forward to becoming a member of his new community and actively engaging the college's supporters.

"There are going to be challenges, but with challenges come goals to meet them and the rewards that follow," he said. "It's going to take the entire PC community – internally and externally – to make it happen."

Atchley and his wife, Toni, have two sons – Alexander and Will.

PC alumnus brings passion to his alma mater

Shirley, a 1976 alumnus of Presbyterian College, has served as a college trustee since 2002. He currently serves as vice president and city executive of the Anderson, S.C. office of the National Bank of South Carolina.

A native of Anderson, he was elected the city's mayor in 1998 and served two terms, completing his service on June 30, 2006.

"Outside of my family, I have had two true passions in my life — serving the city of Anderson and remaining connected to Presbyterian College," Shirley said. "I will be celebrating my 30th class reunion at homecoming next month and during those 30 years, I do not believe I have gone more than 90 days without being on campus for some reason."

In his new role as Presbyterian College's director of development and major gifts, Shirley will work with Atchley to develop and implement fundraising strategies and manage the development staff.

"My immediate goal is to become a full and welcomed member of the development office's team. We have a wonderful combination of seasoned veterans and new faces. Most of these folks know me as a faithful alumnus. I want them to see me as a full partner in their mission. This is an exciting time to be associated with PC. I cannot wait to get started.

"I believe the skills set I learned as a life-long banker and two-term mayor will seamlessly transfer to the development field," he added. "I am anxious to begin spreading the PC story as we strive to successfully conclude the capital campaign and reach our goal of being the top national liberal arts college in South Carolina. Also, our motto of "while we live, we serve" has never left my heart. This will not be just an occupation for me. It will be the culmination of every professional experience I have ever had and, hopefully, a winning combination for Presbyterian College."

In addition to holding degrees from both Anderson College and Presbyterian College, Shirley is a graduate of the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University.
Prior to joining NBSC, he worked for BB&T and C&S National Bank in Anderson. In 1993, the South Carolina Bankers Association honored Shirley with its highest honor, the Outstanding Young Banker Award.

At age 23, Shirley became the youngest person ever elected to Anderson City Council. After serving five terms on City Council, he was elected mayor in 1998 and was re-elected in 2002.

His other civic duties include membership on the board of directors of the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce, Anderson's Soiree Festival, South Carolina Banking School, Freedom Weekend Aloft, Anderson Red Cross, and on the Anderson College Board of Visitors.

Presbyterian College honored Shirley in 1998 with its Distinguished Alumni Service Award.

"My years as an active alumnus and my six years as a trustee have given me real insight into the workings of the college and its needs," he said. "I also have a ready-made network of the other PC folks who love this place as much as I do. I cannot imagine having a better launching pad for a new challenge."

Atchley, Shirley a 'great combination'

PC trustee Bob Staton, a 1968 graduate of PC and a member of the search committee which selected Atchley and Shirley, is excited about the college's new hires in development.

"They both have shown a real commitment to the liberal arts education in a church-related college," he said. "They know how you build a future – through strong programs and strong resources."

Atchley's experience in the private sector and at Wofford and Shirley's business background and "real dedication and love of PC" should be an exciting fit for the college, Staton added.

"They both bring two different sets of eyes and together they should be a great combination," he said.

Paula Harper-Bethea, a PC trustee and the chair of the search committee, said she, too, is excited about the new hires.

"Having David Atchley and Richard Shirley join the PC family in key roles in the Development Office brings a depth of experience, success, and passion which will surely help us achieve greater results for our college and our wonderful students," she said. "It will be exciting and rewarding to be a 'volunteer' part of their team."