August 1, 2006 Source: :
http://www.unb.ca/news/view.cgi?id=1065 UNB WELCOMES FIRST CAO The University of New Brunswick has its first Chief Advancement Officer (CAO). Robert Skillen began his five-year term as CAO on July 24. "We are very pleased with this appointment," said John McLaughlin, UNB president and vice-chancellor. "Bob demonstrates high integrity, supports the university’s mission, and has a passion for its programs and people. He brings to this position a richness of experiences and relationships that will benefit UNB greatly. He is more than capable of leading an advancement staff to new heights of success." A recent external audit of UNB’s advancement activities provided the university with an opportunity to review its advancement portfolio. The audit recommended the creation of a senior position for university advancement that would provide a new level of focused executive leadership. "Competition for good students, quality faculty and staff, and funding from donors and governments, combined with the need to build and maintain relationships and to enhance UNB’s reputation and brand, have made advancement critical to the ongoing success of UNB," said Dr. McLaughlin. "That’s why it is so important, now more than ever, to move forward in our advancement activities." Reporting to the president, the CAO is responsible for all aspects of university advancement, including but not limited to, alumni relations, integrated marketing, communications, public relations, fundraising, government relations, and student recruitment. Mr. Skillen’s portfolio will include the Advancement Office at UNB Saint John, and the offices of the Associated Alumni, Development and Donor Relations, and Student Recruitment and Integrated Marketing, at UNB Fredericton. As CAO, he will develop a strategy for advancement that supports and furthers UNB’s academic plans and priorities and enhances its stature as a national university. He will also be a key member of the senior management team and the primary liaison to the External Relations Committee of the Board of Governors. Mr. Skillen is not new to UNB, in fact he has been involved with the university, in a variety of capacities, for more than 30 years. "During this time, I grew to understand not only the issues and challenges faced by our university but also the opportunities that lie before us," said Mr. Skillen. "I also developed an appreciation for the important role that university advancement plays in supporting the university in achieving its mission and how vital it is to have the entire university community part of advancement activities." Mr. Skillen was born in Cowansville, Que., but his New Brunswick roots are in Burnt Church. He graduated from UNB in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education followed by a bachelor of education degree in 1981 and a master’s degree in education in 1988. Mr. Skillen began his career at UNB in 1990 as executive director of UNB’s Associated Alumni. In 2001, he left UNB to take on the role of president of Greenarm Management Ltd. He returned in 2005 as special project manager in which he was responsible for advancing a number of university projects including the University Commons at UNBSJ and the Healthy Living Village and Healthy Living Initiative at UNBF. He was also a member of UNB’s Forging Our Futures Capital Campaign which raised more than $100 million. "I’ve had a long and happy relationship with UNB since stepping foot inside the university gates more than 30 years ago," said Mr. Skillen. "I am very excited to be back and contribute to the success and the future of the university." - 30 - UNB Fredericton News Release: D685
Natalie Montgomery, Public Relations Officer (506) 451-6842
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