JAMES L. PENCE
408 Keach Loop
Steilacoom, WA 98388
Walkalong Consulting, LLC
[email protected]
(253) 219-3795 (C)
(253) 983-0899 (H)
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Extensive nonprofit executive management experience in colleges, universities, and volunteer
organizations. Strong background in teaching, leadership development and governance. Skilled at
building shared understanding of mission, vision, goals and priorities. Tested abilities in planning,
problem solving, financial management, program and personnel administration, and fundraising. Personal
history as consultant, volunteer, mentor, and Board member in professional associations, schools,
churches, and communities.
SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Planning and Visioning
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Developed succession planning approach for congregations and faith-based agencies.
Developed and implemented strategic plans for wide range of programs, including non-profit
agencies, pre-collegiate programs for minority and low income students, learning assistance and
tutoring, cultural diversity, school partnerships, athletics, library and information technology, lifelong
learning, global studies.
Team member for three facilities master plans and $200+ million in construction projects.
Paid and volunteer planning consultant for universities, community groups, and churches.
Experienced in changing orientation of boards from management to oversight and development.
Leadership and Organizational Development
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Paid consultant for pastoral succession planning in congregations in WA, WI, MN, VA, CO and CA
Developed practical approach to turn committees into communities and improve collaboration.
Designed and led revision of employee personnel policies and institutional improvement plans.
Reorganized governance structure at two institutions to strengthen collegial decision-making.
Designed creative partnerships between colleges and schools, businesses, and civic organizations.
Fundraising Activities
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Paid Consultant for capital campaigns in thirteen states since 2007.
Participated in $250 million in capital campaigns as member of executive teams in private colleges.
Prepared case statements and negotiated with donors for $20 million in gifts.
Volunteer Executive Director of two capital campaigns using all volunteer staffs.
Co-authored grants with total value of about $5 million.
Financial Management
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Developed and managed budgets ranging from $10 million to $80 million.
Created multiple-year staffing plans to reduce costs while increasing individual salaries.
Designed user-friendly systems for managing budgets to improve transparency.
Communication
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Effective writer.
Selected by peers for speeches and panel discussions at national conferences.
Professional Service
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Significant background in nonprofit governance and board operations, including service on two
national nonprofit boards and one local nonprofit board.
Elected by peers to chair national association and recognized with “Thinking Leader” award.
Program chair and master of ceremonies for several national conferences over twenty-year span.
JAMES L. PENCE
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PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
PRIVATE CONSULTING
2006-PRESENT
Establishing consulting practice with specialties in capital appeals, long-range and strategic planning,
succession planning for retiring clergy, leadership development, lifelong learning, facilities master plans,
and organizational development for small nonprofit organizations, churches, and community groups.
Clients in fifteen states (WA, OR, CA, MN, WI, ND, MI, TX, MD, VA, FL, VA, NE, PA, MT) including
congregations, schools, agencies, and judicatories. Special expertise in complex organizations where
process is important and where customized approaches to consultation are valued. Founded Walkalong
Consulting LCC in 2013 to focus on succession planning in churches and faith-based agencies.
PRIVATE CONSULTING (Walkalong Consulting,
2007-present
Kairos & Associates, Holy Cow! Consulting)
PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY (Tacoma, WA)
2002-2006
ST. OLAF COLLEGE (Northfield, Minnesota)
1996-2002
Provost and Dean
of the College
WARTBURG
COLLEGE
(Waverly, Iowa)
1990-1996
Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean of the Faculty
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY (Pueblo, Colorado)
1985-1990
Associate Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs (and other titles).
YAVAPAI COLLEGE
1979-1985
Chair, Department of English; Coordinator of College Honors Program, and Coordinator
Developmental Studies, English Instructor
AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND RECOGNITIONS
“A Thinking Leader” Recognition, American Conference of Academic Deans
Phi Beta Kappa, St. Olaf College
American Council on Education Fellow
The University of Arizona Foundation Award for Meritorious Performance in Teaching
B.A. with High Distinction, Colorado State University
EDUCATION
Ph.D., English, The University of Arizona, Tucson
M.A., English, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
B.A., English, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
VOLUNTEER WORK
Life-long record of volunteerism in congregations, schools, community service projects, and youth
programs, for example:
• Church Council presidencies and several leadership positions in congregations in Arizona, Colorado,
Iowa, Minnesota and Washington.
• Voting member at LCMS, ELCA and Southwest Washington Synod Assemblies
• Membership on Board of Advisors, Leadership Institute of Seattle; Board of Governors, Tacoma
Lutheran Retirement Community.
• Service projects with college students in Iowa, Minnesota and Washington.
• Chamber of Commerce participation in Colorado and Iowa.
• Volunteer in elementary, middle school and high school when daughters were growing up.
• Service projects with high school youth in Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Mexico, and Maine