Foundation names Gambill community development director

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Dean Gambill will join the Putnam County Community Foundation team as its new director of community development.

Gambill has served in the non-profit field for more than 20 years, and has experience in client advocacy, case management, non-profit administration and ministerial work. His appointment, announced today by Elaine Peck, executive director of the Community Foundation, was effective March 21.

"This was a lengthy search because it is vital that our community development director not only possess a broad range of technical skills and professional experiences, but also that he has qualities such as generosity, caring and integrity, that lend themselves to being a trustworthy, servant-leader in the community," Peck said. "I look forward to introducing him to people in the community and to the new perspective he will bring to our organization."

Gambill initially will be focused on programs operated by the Community Foundation, including the Non-Profit Learning Series, the Community Grants Program, the Youth Philanthropy Program, and the Endowment Builder Program, Peck noted.

"I am honored to be joining the Community Foundation and look forward to being a part of the Putnam County community," Gambill said. "With the Stellar Community opportunity that was recently announced, this is a very exciting time to be getting involved in this community."

Gambill was reared in Parke and Vigo counties, graduating from Terre Haute North Vigo High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from Lincoln Christian College and later pursued a master's in divinity at Lincoln Christian Seminary.

Previous positions include youth minister positions at Lemon Grove Christian Church in Lemon Grove, Calif., and First Christian Church in Newburgh, men's baseball coach at Lincoln Christian College, administrative pastor at East Hills Christian Church in El Cajon, Calif., assistant to the president of Harvest Prayer Ministries in Terre Haute, and most recently as a family advocate with the Wabash Valley Disaster Recovery Coalition.

Gambill is married and has two daughters.

The Putnam County Community Foundation is a nonprofit public charity established in 1985 to administer endowments, award grant, and provide leadership, enriching the quality of life and strengthening community in Putnam County.

The Community Foundation administers nearly 220 funds and endowments for donors, supporting a variety of charitable purposes. To discover all the ways you might make a difference, persons may contact Elaine Peck at 653.4978.

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