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Pamela Ritter

Vice President of University Advancement
President/CEO of the ETSU Foundation

Pam came to ETSU from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, where she spent 27 years as a senior-level fundraiser working in major gifts, corporate relations, alumni relations, and administration. As senior director of Purdue’s Office of Corporate Relations from 2004-15, Pam managed offices in West Lafayette, Chicago, and Indianapolis and led effort to raise $450 million of the successful $1.7 billion “Campaign for Purdue” project. In addition, her team raised an average of $30 million in gifts and $20 million in in-kind gifts per year, for the past 11 years. Her duties also included developing long-range strategic plans and assisting university-wide programs with fundraising activities. Pam joined Purdue in 1987 and held such titles as director of Class Gifts and Director of Development for the College of Technology before moving into corporate relations. Pam holds a B.S. degree in health education from Western Michigan University and an M.S. in health administration from Purdue. She is a member of the Network of Academic Corporate Relations Officers, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Prior to working in fundraising, Pam spent four years as a school teacher in Indiana and was a district representative for the American Cancer Society.

Jenna Marcum

Office Coordinator

Jenna grew up in Texas and Arizona where she obtained her B.A. in Social Sciences from Grand Canyon University. She and her family moved to Johnson City and she came to work at ETSU in 2021, first as an Executive Aide in the College of Nursing and then as an Information Research Technician in the Office of Financial Accounting, before joining University Advancement as Office Coordinator. Jenna has over 20 years of office experience and loves assisting her co-workers and supervisors. In her free time, she enjoys going to thrift stores and flea markets with her boyfriend, Michael, and caring for a feral cat community. Jenna lives in Johnson City with her six cats, Jack, Sawyer, Hagrid, Sebastian, Tuxie and Surprise. 

Suzanne Williams

Office Manager

Suzanne Williams joined East Tennessee State University in October 2006. She began working in the College of Nursing and in the Gatton College of Pharmacy from July 2007 until December 2017. Suzanne completed her Associates Degree in Office Technology from Virginia Highlands Community College. Once employed at ETSU, Suzanne completed the Certified Professional Secretary exam. She brings over 20 years of Office Administration experience with her. She is very excited to have the opportunity to work in University Advancement.
Suzanne enjoys spending time with her husband, Todd and doing outdoor recreational activities, home renovation projects, and other activities with her family. She has two children, Austin, and Madison, who are both students at ETSU.

John King ’88 '22

Associate Vice President of University Advancement

John is a native of Erwin, Tennessee and two-time graduate from ETSU, earning his B.S. Degree in Mass Communication in 1988, and later adding his Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing in 2022.  He is also a former member of the ETSU men’s basketball team. He joined the University Advancement team at ETSU in March 2017 after spending 11 ½ years working in senior-level fundraising and alumni relations at King University in Bristol, Tennessee, where he served as Vice President for Development and a member of the President’s Cabinet. At ETSU, John works with the directors of development to assist in maximizing their efforts to secure major gifts that benefit the various schools, programs, and the University as a whole. He also serves as a member of the University Advancement Leadership Team, as well as the development officer for the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy. John is married to Keyla Torbett King, a 1989 graduate of the ETSU Dental Hygiene program, and they have two adult children.

Denise Asbury

Director of Development, College of Arts & Sciences

Denise is a 1986 Mass Communications graduate of Emory & Henry College, who began working at ETSU in October 2018. She worked in advertising & marketing in Bristol, Virginia for 8 1/2 years before beginning her career in higher education Advancement in 1997. She lives in Abingdon with husband Allen and together they enjoy spending time with their adult children, Ryan and his wife Abby, and daughter Kayla, who is a student at ETSU. Completing the family are Molly the dog and Mia the cat. Denise’s work with alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community members is very rewarding and she enjoys representing the University, especially the programs in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Erin Billingsby '09

Director of Development, Intercollegiate Athletics

Erin Billingsby returned to her alma mater in summer 2024 to serve as Director of Development for Intercollegiate Athletics at ETSU. She was a student-athlete and member of the ETSU soccer team from 2005-2009 and has seen firsthand the impact of donor support for students. Prior to joining the University Advancement staff, she lived in Evergreen, Colorado where she worked in the real estate industry.

Jenny Federico

Director of Development, Martin Center for The Arts

A native of Waynesville, North Carolina, Jenny has worked in the art world across many different fields. She began her studies at East Carolina University, earning dual degrees in studio arts and art history before continuing her art history studies at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. She began her career in the art world at Sotheby's in London before moving to the NYC office. She came to ETSU in the spring of 2023 working as an adjunct professor in the Department of Art and Design and is continuing her love of the arts by joining the ETSU Martin Center Advancement team. In addition to art, Jenny enjoys musical theater and ballet.

Dessi Ford ’00

Director of Development, Student Life and Enrollment, Roan Scholars, & Honors College

Dessi is a native of ETSU and joined the Advancement team in January 2019. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from ETSU in December of 2000, majoring in Marketing. For 19 years she led a team of Sales Consultants as a Senior Sales Director for Mary Kay Cosmetics, ranking in the top 2% of the company and earning 11 free cars including 3 Pink Cadillacs. In 2015 she moved into non-profit fundraising as the Director of Development for SteppenStone Youth Treatment Services in Limestone, TN. There she was instrumental in developing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising program for the organization. Dessi has a daughter who is currently in New York City pursuing a career in Musical Theatre. She enjoys watching TV, traveling, spending time with friends, and playing with her 3 dogs. She also has been a group fitness instructor for 23 years and currently teaches dance fitness at Victory Fitness in Jonesborough, TN.

Anne Godfrey

Director of Development, College of Nursing and College of Clinical & Rehabilitative Health Sciences

A Richmond, VA native, Anne obtained a B.S. degree in Human and Organizational Development from Vanderbilt University. In Richmond, Anne worked in annual giving, responsible for raising over a million dollars annually for an independent K-12 girls’ school, where she broke the school record three times for most money raised in annual giving, with record high percentages of both alumnae and parent giving. After relocating to Johnson City in 2008, Anne led the parent-teacher associations for Indian Trail Middle School and Science Hill High School, where she developed and ran a student leadership program with the school’s principal. Anne also served on the board of the Friends of the Johnson City Public Library and volunteered with the youth program at Munsey United Methodist Church. She joined Mountain States Health Alliance in February 2016 in the Marketing and Communications Department, ultimately coordinating system-wide events for Ballad Health as well as events and tours for Niswonger Children’s Hospital. Anne and her husband, Jim, have three college-aged children and a German Shorthaired Pointer, and enjoy hiking and traveling.

Rebecca Huddleston

Director of Development, College of Business and Technology

Born and raised in Johnson City, Rebecca graduated from ETSU with a Mass Communications degree in 1998. Rebecca started her career as Marketing Director of the Elizabethton Star Newspaper and Star Technology Group in Elizabethton and then spent more than 20 years with Bank of Tennessee and Carter County Bank where she was responsible for marketing, website development, events, public relations, and crisis communications. Rebecca joined ETSU’s Advancement team as the Director of Development for the College of Business and Technology in 2023. She is an avid non-profit advocate, focusing on organizations that impact the lives of children. Her volunteer and board involvement has included Hands! On Regional Museum, Niswonger Children’s Hospital NICU, Elizabethton/Carter County Boys and Girls Club, Lucy Simpson Foundation, Johnson City Public Schools Foundation, and Make A Wish East Tennessee, to name a few. Rebecca also loves to travel, spend time with family and friends, and is newly married to local business owner, Ian Huddleston. Together, they have three adult children and one grandchild.

Lisa Pawley

Director of Development, College of Arts and Sciences

Lisa is a 1999 Psychology and Criminal Justice graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte who began working for ETSU in March 2024. In her professional capacity, Lisa brings over 12 years of experience in major gift fundraising for two prominent non-profit organizations in the Johnson City area: Coalition For Kids and Dawn of Hope. She relocated to East Tennessee in 2008 from Charlotte and has resided in various states across the country.  Her interests include traveling, hiking, kayaking, gardening, cooking, and attending her teenage daughter’s softball games.

Zach Thompson '14

Director of Development, Clemmer College of Education and Human Development

Zach is originally from Morristown and graduated from ETSU in spring 2014 with a master’s in Kinesiology and Sport Studies with a concentration in Sport Management. While a student, he  joined Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc.  He also holds a a B.A. in Business and Organizational Leadership and a minor in Pre-Law from Brevard College where he played Division II Colligate Football. For the past decade, he has held various roles in Undergraduate Admissions, including Assistant Director for Transfer Recruitment and Outreach at ETSU for the past 3 years, with prior experience at King University and Middle Tennessee State University. Currently he serves  as Vice President of ETSU’s Black Faculty and Staff Association, Co-Advisor for NPHC, and Advisor for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Theta Zeta Chapter. Beyond work, he is a member of Jubilee Word Outreach Church, Phi Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and Johnson City Young Professionals.  Outside of the office, he devotes his time to his wonderful wife, Chelsea, whom he has been happily married to for six years, along with our three beautiful children (Emery, Zaiden, and Zyla) and our cherished dog (Sugar). His favorite activity in life is to eat. Please let’s have lunch!

Karin Von Kaenel

Director of Development, Quillen College of Medicine

Karin Von Kaenel joined the ETSU advancement team in January 2024 to support the Quillen College of Medicine.  She comes to us from Grady hospital in Atlanta, Georgia where she worked alongside the Grady Health Foundation team to support Grady’s efforts in trauma, stroke, burn, cancer, and HIV care.  Prior to her work in healthcare advancement, she enjoyed being a part of the United Way fundraising team for almost a decade, serving the Atlanta, Virginia Beach, and San Diego communities.  Karin is passionate about advancing healthcare and supporting veterans, as her husband, father, and grandfather all served in the military.  She has appreciated living all over the country, but considers Clemson, South Carolina her hometown.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Master of Public Administration from Clemson University.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and cheering on the Clemson Tigers in football.  Karin is grateful to join the Quillen College of Medicine family and looks forward to supporting the mission.

Desmond Pierce '14

Executive Director, Annual Giving

Desmond Pierce, a seasoned professional with a rich history in fundraising, brings an abundance of expertise cultivated through dynamic roles, from the Athletic Department at the University of Pittsburgh to his tenure as Assistant Athletic Director at Trevecca Nazarene University and Head Coach at King University. As a dedicated ETSU graduate and former cross country and track & field athlete, Desmond's ties to the university and the East Tennessee community run deep. Now, as the Executive Director of Annual Giving, he is poised to channel his passion and skills, ensuring vibrant success in fundraising for the entire university. With his wife Ashley, a former Bucs Track & Field pole vaulter, they are proud parents of their daughter Oakley—grateful to be back in the heart of the Johnson City community! Get ready for an exciting journey of transformative giving under Desmond's leadership!

Tyler Gaby

Assistant Director of Annual Giving

Tyler is a native of East Tennessee and joined the ETSU University Advancement team in March 2017. He graduated from King University with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry in 2014. Prior to this position, Tyler served King University for 3 years as an Admissions Counselor. In his current role, he analyzes and manages financial reports and scholarship processes, oversees the cultivation and stewardship of donors as well as serves as the project manager on direct mail, e-mail, social media, and leadership annual giving appeals.

Rebecca Muncy '23

Executive Director of Planned Giving

Rebecca joined the ETSU University Advancement team in June 2018 as the Director of Development in the College of Business and Technology. An East Tennessee native, Rebecca attended Tusculum College, completed a B.A. in political science, and was also a women’s tennis team member. Immediately after graduating from Tusculum, Rebecca joined the Tusculum College Office of Institutional Advancement and served for five years as the Associate Director of Alumni and Parent Relations. Rebecca then taught Government and World History at two local high schools where she was also a women’s basketball coach. During her tenure teaching, Rebecca completed her M.A. in Educational Theory and Practice from Arkansas State University. Since coming to ETSU, Rebecca has also completed her M.B.A. from the College of Business and Technology, and is excited to be a Buc alum! In her current role as Executive Director of Planned Giving, she works with alumni and friends of the University who want to create a legacy at ETSU. Rebecca enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing tennis, and enjoying her home in Afton with her rescue dog, Ziva Mae.

Beth Wiley

Assistant Vice President of Advancement Services

Beth came to ETSU in March of 2016 from The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee where she served as Director of Advancement Services for 16 years. Beth implemented numerous software systems and process improvements while supporting two comprehensive capital campaigns during her tenure at Sewanee. She likes to describe her responsibilities as encompassing “behind the scenes” support for the Advancement division. Beth has an undergraduate degree in Music Education and a Master in Business Administration degree from Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. She is a member of the Association of Advancement Services Professionals and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Beth enjoys spending time with her husband, Paul, adult children, Kate & Jake, and her Airedale terrier. She also enjoys all forms of music and serving in various community volunteer roles.

Samantha Blackwell '23

Gifts Processor

Samantha Blackwell is a recent ETSU graduate, earning her bachelor’s degree in English in December 2023. As an undergraduate, she was employed as a work study student for the College of Nursing and the College of Public Health. Samantha is a native of Florida but moved with her family to the Appalachian Highlands and currently resides in Jonesborough. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her two dogs. Samantha joined the University Advancement team in Ju

Nicole Dowell ’14, ’24

Technology Manager

Nicole joined the University Advancement team in August 2015 to process gifts and make biographical database updates. In July of 2017, she was promoted to Technology Coordinator. In this position, Nicole supplies the division with reports and mailing lists and handles numerous technical projects. She also assists with prospect research and Advancement Services training. Nicole earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in May 2014, majoring in Accounting and is currently working on a degree in Information Science at ETSU.

Cody Greene

Prospect Research Analyst

Cody joined ETSU in September 2016 after serving as Director of Advancement Services at Tusculum College. A native of North Georgia, he attended Tusculum College and graduated in 2008 with a degree in business administration. He also obtained an MBA from Milligan College in 2011. Cody lives in Greeneville with his wife, Cierra, and two daughters.

Jared Hedrick

Technology Coordinator

Jared joined the University Advancement team in January 2024 as a Technology Coordinator. Before joining University Advancement, Jared was the recruiter for the College of Public Health at ETSU. He graduated with a B.S. in Digital Media in 2017 and has recently graduated with his M.B.A. in Business Analytics in May of 2023. In Jared’s free time, he enjoys reading, hiking, and playing guitar.

Devan Lamie

Gifts Processor

Devan Lamie joined the Advancement Services team in 2024 after working in another department on campus. She is a native of Erwin and is currently pursuing a degree in criminal justice and criminology. In her spare time, she loves being a dog mom to her to her two canines, Bentley and Baby. She describes herself as a “crime junkie” and loves following crime podcasts, shows, and articles.

Joe Smith '94, '14

Executive Director, Advancement Communications and Stewardship

Joe Smith has worked in higher education communications and marketing for over 25 years. He holds two degrees from ETSU. A native of Elizabethton, Joe has been a proud Buccaneer since he first stepped on campus as a student in 1990 and has never left.  He is the recipient of the ETSU Distinguished Staff Award as well as the alumni hall of fame award from the Department of Media and Communication where he also serves as an adjunct faculty member.
In his free time, Joe loves being an uncle to his two nephews and niece, binging his favorite shows, or planning dinner parties, even though he can’t cook. He enjoys attending local theater productions and looks for any excuse to visit NYC to see the latest Broadway shows. He is a Trustee at Barter Theatre, a member of the Johnson City Public Art Committee, and a board member at the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre.

Joe lives in Johnson City with his two rescue dogs – Stella, who runs the house, and Stuart, his loyal BFF.

Whitney Goetz ’05

Executive Director, ETSU National Alumni Association

Whitney Goetz was named Executive Director of the ETSU National Alumni Association in July 2020. A native of Johnson City, Tennessee, she holds a Bachelors degree in Mass Communications from ETSU and an M.B.A. from Milligan College. After graduating from ETSU, Whitney began her career at Mountain States Health Alliance before moving to Washington, DC to work for United States Senator Bob Corker. She returns to ETSU from Nashville, Tennessee where she most recently worked for the Tennessee Department of Treasury leading Human Resources and public policy. Whitney is a proud graduate of ETSU and loves the Appalachian Highlands region. She is passionate about finding new ways to reconnect and stay engaged with our Alumni.

Karen Crigger ’90

ETSU Alumni Communications & Technology Coordinator

Karen is a 1990 graduate of ETSU with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in illustration. She began working with the ETSU Alumni staff in 2014 after working in the media for the past 20 years. Karen’s main functions are updating the website, sending electronic newsletters, updating alumni records, and creating promotional material for the Alumni Office. Karen is married and has two sons, one at Austin Peay, and the other at Science Hill High School.

Lee Ann Davis’91, ’09

Director of Alumni Programs

Lee Ann graduated from ETSU with a degree in Mass Communication in 1991 and in 2009 completed a Masters of Professional Studies in Strategic Leadership. As the Director of Alumni Programs, Lee Ann serves as primary contact with alumni and friends. Her primary duties include planning, promoting, and conducting alumni activities. She also cultivates volunteer leadership for alumni programs and develops new programs for ETSU alumni and students including the Alumni Mentor program, Student Recruitment activities, ETSU PRIDE, Homecoming, Affinity group reunions, Alumni recognition programs and Spring Alumni Weekend. In addition, Lee Ann works with local media to promote ETSU alumni-centric stories, helps produce promotional videos for alumni initiatives, serves as the webmaster for the alumni website www.etsualumni.org and coordinates many of the ETSU National Alumni Association’s social media communication channels.

Leisa Harvey ’94

Office Coordinator

Leisa Harvey began working at ETSU in 2002 and joined the Alumni Staff as Office Coordinator in September 2006. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from East Tennessee State University. Harvey’s main functions as Office Coordinator are planning meetings and events facilitated by the Alumni Office Staff and managing the Office’s daily budgeting activities. Harvey also facilitates fee collection and ticketing for events and the fulfillment of products available for purchase by alumni and friends. Her husband, Travis, is Maintenance Lead Worker at Shelbridge, and they have a daughter, Lauren, who is a junior at University School..

Savannah Kern

Development Associate

Savannah, who was born and raised in Boynton Beach, Florida, moved to Johnson City to pursue her degree. She earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from East Tennessee State University in May of 2023. She spent all four years of her undergraduate on the East Tennessee Dance team, where she was awarded a creative arts scholarship each year. Along with being a part of POLO (preview orientation leader organization) and BIGs (Buccaneer Involvement Guide). She also worked part-time as a fitness and wellness intern, a facility assistant, and a cycle instructor at the campus gym, Basler Center for Physical Activity. At a nearby dance facility named The Dance Company, she enjoys teaching a variety of dance forms to kids from the age of three to eighteen. As well as always supporting the BUCS at sporting events.

Cyndi Ramsey ’06

Associate Director for Alumni Services

Cyndi Ramsey joined the Alumni Staff in March, 2007. She graduated from ETSU in 2006 with a degree in Education with an emphasis in English. Cyndi’s main duties include alumni event organization and support, affinity group relations engaging special interests and segments of the alumni population, assisting with alumni social media sites, student- alumni outreach including the College Tour, Real World 101 and the annual golf tournament, as well as the ETSU ambassador program which enlists alumni volunteers to represent ETSU’s President at Inaugurals and Convocations, as well as other events. She first joined the office as an Information Research Technician before promotion to her current role. Cyndi has also performed and taught various forms of dance and ballet on a regular basis and danced professionally for a ballet company in North Carolina.

Christina Graham

Chief Financial Officer

David Finney '17

Director of Fiscal Affairs

David is a native of East Tennessee and joined ETSU in August of 2019 after working as a bank accountant. He graduated ETSU in 2017 with a Bachelors in Accountancy and graduated with an MBA from Milligan College in 2019. David lives in Elizabethton, TN with his wife Katarina.

Andrea Jimenez ’12, '13

Executive Director of Foundation and Research Foundation Accounting

Andrea, who earned her BBA and MAcc degrees at ETSU, returned to her alma mater as an accountant in 2016 after a stint in public accounting. She now leads the team responsible for all accounting functions for the Foundation. When not at work, Andrea enjoys knitting and spending time with her husband and sons.

Jennifer Clements

Executive Director of the Martin Center and University Events

Jennifer Clements is a native of Unicoi and a proud graduate of Ohio Northern University with her BS in Management and Accounting and of ETSU with a Master’s of Business Administration. Jennifer serves as the inaugural executive director of the Martin Center for the Arts. An active member of Munsey United Methodist Church, Jennifer has chaired the Johnson City Christmas Parade for the past several years and serves as a member of the Blue Plum Organization Board, Frontier Health Foundation Board, Donate for Life, and the Johnson City Junior League.  She was honored by the Business Journal of the Tri-Cities as one of the region’s “40 Under 40” leaders.  Jennifer and her husband Jeff reside in Johnson City with their two dogs, Gilbert Blythe and Anne Shirley.