January 14, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Eugene R. Gregory, an Oregon native who served as Lewis and Clark College’s chief fundraiser before moving to Louisiana and raising over $100 million for Centenary College of Louisiana, is the new Vice President for Development and Marketing for the Oregon Symphony, Interim President Duane McDougall announced today. Gregory will return to Oregon to assume the position March 1.
3Gene has an incredible track record in both major gifts fundraising and institutional leadership,” said McDougall. “We are gratified that he has agreed to apply those gifts to the Oregon Symphony.”
Ernest Bloch II, vice chair of the Symphony’s Foundation Board and chair of the search committee, added: “Gene is going to be an important and qualified player in the fiscal future of the Symphony and I believe we have the best person for the job. His long-term experience in fundraising with major donors in Portland, major gifts campaigns, planned giving and marketing expertise are what we need for this position.”
Gregory, who has more than 27 years of fundraising and marketing experience, has been a Vice President at Centenary College of Louisiana since 1994. His responsibilities include development, public relations and marketing. During his tenure he has raised more than $102 million and increased overall giving by 244 percent. Centenary was cited in the Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the top fundraising institutions in the country in 1996-97.
Gregory spent 10 years at Lewis and Clark College, where he served as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement from 1982 to 1990. While at Lewis and Clark he generated more than $30 million in cash and pledges. He holds a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University, where he began his fundraising career.
“The Oregon Symphony is a Northwest jewel that offers a wonderful array of music and programs,” said Gregory. “I am pleased and excited to join this splendid organization as we continue to advance its interests and ensure its vitality. As a native of Oregon,” he added, “I look forward to returning to my home.”
Gregory replaces Graham McReynolds, who left to become the Executive Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Oregon.
