SALISBURY — Catawba College has appointed a new vice president of development. College President Brien Lewis announced that Rex Otey of Concord will succeed Tom Childress ’64 who retired at the end of May. Otey begins work Sept. 1.
Otey, who has an extensive background in philanthropic giving, has worked since 2011 as a director and consultant for Patton McDowell & Associates of Charlotte, a philanthropic counsel, executive search and organizational strategy firm.
“Rex has impressed us all with his insights and his enthusiasm for the opportunities awaiting Catawba,” Lewis said when he announced Otey’s hiring. “He is a consummate professional with much experience in advancement and Catawba’s many friends and donors will find him to be very personable and a great communicator. We look forward to putting his many talents to work at the college.”
Lewis added that Childress, who retired as senior vice president responsible for advancement and athletics, will continue to have a leadership role at the college through December. He will serve as a special assistant to the president while the development office transitions to Otey’s new leadership.
“The opportunity to partner with Catawba alumni, friends and faculty to advance the mission and vision of a college so closely aligned with my own values is a dream scenario. My family and I are delighted to be joining the Catawba community,” Otey said.
Prior to joining Patton McDowell & Associates, Otey worked as managing director of advancement support for the Charitable Resource Group of Conway, Pa., a higher education consulting and executive search firm, from 1999-2003 and from 2010-2011. Between 2008 and 2010, he served as director of special projects and church-wide initiatives for Heartland Community Church of Rockford, Ill.
Otey also has extensive direct experience in higher education advancement. From 1996 to 2001, he was employed by Rockford College in Rockford, Ill., for the first four years as director of development and planned giving, and then as special assistant to the president. He served as director of alumni relations and the annual fund at Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, W.Va., between 1991-1996.
He holds a bachelor of science degree from Alderson-Broaddus College, where he majored in business management and minored in speech. He earned his master of arts degree in education administration, with a concentration in counseling, from West Virginia University in Morgantown.
Otey’s professional affiliations include his membership in the Association for Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and chairing the 2013 AFP programming committee, and his participation in Leave a Legacy Charlotte. His community involvement includes Davidson Impact Fellowship, service as a men’s small group leader, and service in men’s fraternity.
Married to wife Deb, the two are parents of sons Carter, 12, and Caeden, 10.