Meet the Development
and Alumni Relations Team
“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” Maya Angelou 
Nancy Hershfield
Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations 830-372-8030
nhershfield@tlu.edu Nancy Hershfield joined Texas Lutheran University as Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations in March, 2009. Nancy leads a team that develops and implements a full spectrum of fundraising and alumni relations efforts.Nancy previously served as Director of Development at St. Norbert College, Director of Development for the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, Executive Director of the Fox Valley Arts Alliance, Director of Annual Giving at Lawrence University, and as a consultant with the Meyer Fund-Raising Partnership – all in Wisconsin. Nancy earned a B.A. in Anthropology from Luther College and participated in the Organizational Anthropology Master of Arts program at the University of Manitoba. She also possesses the title of CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) and successfully completed the HERS Bryn Mawr Summer Institute. Nancy is a member of CASE, AFP, and ALDE. An active volunteer, Nancy has served organizations including the Wisconsin Arts Board, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Appleton Boychoir, and Child & Family Services. Nancy lives in Seguin with her husband, Dale. They have two sons – Josef, a senior, music education major at Luther College and Luke, a sophomore, international relations major at Drake University. Nancy is an avid bicyclist and enjoys worldwide travel.
"Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose." Helen Keller 
Renee Rehfeld
Assistant Vice President for Development 830-372-6803
rrehfeld@tlu.edu Renee is responsible for establishing and cultivating relationships with Texas Lutheran supporters. The objective is to raise major gift and estate gift dollars to grow the endowment, provide facilities to further enhance educational opportunities for students and support programmatic initiatives to further the academic quality of the university. Originally from Nashville, TN, Renee received a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee in 1987. After working for Gaylord and Six Flags for over 15 years, Renee joined Texas Lutheran in July 2006. Renee is a member of ALDE, AFP and sits on the board of the Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest. Renee is a Navarro ISD Board Trustee and Navarro Education Foundation Board Member. She is also an adult volunteer with the Navarro 4H. Renee is married to Ross Refeld of Seguin and they have two sons. Remington and Rylan. Renee loves all genres of music. She enjoys playing the piano, reading, fishing, and spending time on the lake.
"Spirit Lives Here!" Taylor Carleton 
Taylor C. Carleton
Director of Alumni Relations 830-372-8026
tcarleton@tlu.edu Taylor promotes TLU to all alumni and friends through events, meetings and publications. She works with the Alumni Board of Directors and Student Alumni Association very closely to plan Homecoming, the Ring Ceremony and Alumni and Advocate Seminars. Taylor holds a B.A. from Texas Lutheran University in Public History. She has served as the Director of Alumni Relations for Texas Lutheran since 2007. A high energy, highly motivated team player, she brings more than 12 years experience in strategic sourcing, contract negotiations, management, marketing communications, and event management expertise. Taylor came to TLU from Encore Productions where she was Director of Business Development for the Event Management Team for 2 years. Before EMT, she worked with IBM for eight years as a Project Manager for their Business Transformation Outsourcing division as well as the Marketing Communications lead. Prior to that, she was the Team Lead for events with the IBM Marketing Communications council. While at IBM, Taylor received the Customer Insight Award which highlights those who achieve high customer satisfaction results. She was also a member of IBM’s Top Talent Team. Taylor enjoys running, pontooning, and hanging out with her son Luke and husband Mitch. Go Bulldogs!
"God never promised us a clear ride; just a smooth landing." Fonda Mathis 
Fonda Mathis
Director of Development Services 830-372-8157
fmathis@tlu.edu Fonda Mathis joined Texas Lutheran University in 1998 as a Sr. Programmer Analyst in the Information Technology department. In 2005 she assumed the position of database manager in development and now serves as the Director of Development Services. She provides leadership to the acquisition, management, analysis and use of information necessary to support the day-to-day and long-term objectives of Development and Alumni Relations, this includes prospect research, donor relations and gift and data processing. As a senior member of the Development Leadership Team, Fonda assists the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations in implementing technology-based solutions to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the department. She manages accounting procedures, acts as a liaison with the Finance Office, and plans and implements information systems that help achieve fundraising goals and other key objectives. Fonda comes to Texas Lutheran with a degree in computer science from Texas State University and 11 years experience in computer programming. She is an active member of Faith Lutheran Church, the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce, the Seguin Youth Leadership Academy board, and the Guadalupe County Republican Women. Fonda is married to Kevin Mathis of Seguin and has one child, Kyle Mathis. In her personal time, Fonda enjoys volunteering in the community and in her church.
“First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.” Napoleon Hill 
Brian K. Danforth
Director of Annual Giving 830-372-8032
bdanforth@tlu.edu Brian began his journey at TLU in 2009, as the Director of Annual Giving. He is responsible for planning and managing an aggressive annual giving program through various avenues including direct mail appeals, e-solicitations, phonathon, and personal visits. Brian works closely with alumni, friends, parents, students, faculty/staff, and the President’s Associates giving society to solicit gifts on an annual basis. He holds a degree in computer science from Mars Hill College and a graduate degree in entreprneurship from Western Carolina University. Brian came to TLU from Mars Hill College, in Mars Hill, NC where he most recently served as Director of Annual Giving for two and a half years. Prior to that experience, he worked as an Admissions Counselor in the Office of Admissions at Mars Hill College. He was a member of the AFP, Asheville, NC chapter and served on various local committees throughout the Asheville region while also being heavily involved in his community and church. A native of North Augusta, South Carolina, He recently married La’Zendra B. Danforth, also from South Carolina. Brian enjoys playing and watching sports, listening to jazz, playing the drums and piano, watching movies, traveling, and relaxing with friends and family.
"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet." Frederick Buechner (Wishful Thinking: A Seeker's ABC) 
Sam Ehrlich
Director of Corporate, Foundation and Church Relations 830-372-8155
sehrlich@tlu.edu As Director of Corporate, Foundation and Church Relations, Sam builds and maintains relationships with businesses, corporations and foundations and connects their passions with the mission of TLU. He represents TLU at church functions of the ELCA and beyond, and coordinates TLU Sundays at congregations. Prior to joining the administration at his alma mater, Sam spent the last ten years with Cross Trails Ministry in Kerrville, Texas as a camp director and most recently, Development Director. As a passionate and driven lay professional, he is recognized for developing interpersonal relationships, solid leadership and public speaking that has led to opportunities to expand the mission of the organizations he has served. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Texas Lutheran University in 1999. In addition to the small business he owns with his family, he is active as a Director in the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Board of the Guadalupe County Children’s Advocacy Center and the Seguin Education Foundation. Sam and his wife, Amber, reside in Seguin. Sam grew up appreciating art and collects rare books.
"Riches do not consist in the possession of treasures, but in the use made of them." Napoleon Bonaparte 
Charles Vestal
Development Officer 830-372-8031
cvestal@tlu.edu Charles assists alumni and friends of TLU to act on their values in supporting annual funding of endowed chairs, professorships, fellowships and scholarships. Charles came to TLU in 2009 after having led the fundraising and marketing communications of Hunger Task Force in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a prominent anti-hunger public policy and food banking institution, where he served 11 years in various development positions. Charles has also taught business and technical writing at two large public universities and began his career as an account executive at The Richards Group advertising agency in Dallas, Texas. A native of Sherman, Texas, Charles earned his bachelor’s at Southern Methodist University and graduate degrees at Cornell University (marketing management) and at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (English Literature). He is a member of AFP. He currently resides in San Antonio with his 9 year old son, 11 year old daughter, and his wife of fifteen years, communications scholar Dr. K.E. Supriya. Charles enjoys camping, tailgating, collecting vintage cars, attending rock concerts, and traveling.
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give" Winston Churchill 
Chris Bischoff
Development Officer 830-372-8035
cbischoff@tlu.edu Chris rejoined TLU’s Development Office after serving as Director of Development for the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) College of Education and Human Development. Prior to his employment with UTSA, Chris worked for several years as a major gifts officer at TLU. A 1974 graduate of TLU and a native of Seguin, Chris was a career naval officer before retiring and returning to his hometown. His wife, Patricia, is also a Class of 1974 alumnus and is an elementary education teacher in Seguin ISD. Chris and Patricia have a son, Kurt, who lives in San Antonio where he is employed as a clinical trials coordinator for a biotechnology firm. Chris serves as Vice-President for Finance on the Mid-Texas Symphony Board of Directors. In his free time, he enjoys running, tennis and golf.
“Give and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, shall be given to you. For with the same measure that ye give to others, it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38 
Derrick M. Collins
Phonathon and Events Manager 830-372-6987
dcollins@tlu.edu Derrick Collins recently joined the Office of Development and Alumni Relations as the phonathon and events manager. In this role, he manages the TLU Student Calling Program where students contact alumni and friends of the university to ask for their support of The Texas Lutheran Fund. Derrick also works on a number of projects and events which help foster stewardship of TLU alumni and friends. He is a 2005 graduate of Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He brings with him a wide range of experience in higher education. He volunteers with the American Legion sponsored program, Badger Boys State of Wisconsin. Derrick is a member of Delta Upsilon International Fraternity where he mentors college students, provides educational programs, and holds leadership roles at the alumni chapter and international levels. Derrick’s interests are far and wide, but mostly he enjoys spending time with family and friends. Since most of them are back in Wisconsin, he looks forward to building a life here in Texas and at TLU. Derrick is so proud to be at TLU!
“I love to get to know the donors and friends of TLU. They have become a big part of my family.” Violet Glover 
Violet Glover
Administrative Assistant 830-372-8030
vglover@tlu.edu Violet has worked as an adminsitriave assitant at Texas Lutheran for more than 31 years. Before coming to Texas Lutheran University, she was employed for ten years at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She worked at WOUB-TV, the university’s educational television station. She is a graduate of Stockdale High School. She has two sons, Jeff and Keith, five grandchildren, two sisters and one brother. She enjoys traveling and visiting with friends. Her hobbies include reading, watching "CSI", people watching, playing the slots and playing cards.
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." St. Francis of Assisi .jpg)
Barbara Risley
Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations 830-372-6011
brisley@tlu.edu Barbara has been with TLU since August 2005. She brings a variety of experience to TLU including working for the National Treasury Employees Union and the Commander Iceland Defense Force. When not at work Barbara enjoys spending time with her family.
“Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.” Darlene Zschech “Shout to the Lord” 
Barbette Wills
Gift Coordinator 830-372-8033
bwills@tlu.edu Barbette Wills is the Gift Coordinator at TLU. Her job consists of processing and acknowledging all gifts and helping to maintain the donor database. She has worked at Texas Lutheran since 2007. Prior to raising her family, Barbette spent seven years in gift processing working for the West Texas Rehabilitation Center in Abilene, Texas. She is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Seguin, Texas. When away from work, she enjoys keeping up with life and activities with her family.
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, and become more, you are a leader." John Quincy Adams 
Jennifer Kolbe
Research Manager 830-372-8029
jkolbe@tlu.edu Jennifer Kolbe joined the team in 2008 after a 15 year career in community and economic development. As the research manager, she collaborates with the president and development staff in prospect identification, cultivation and solicitation. She attended Southwest Texas State University and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute. She and husband, Scott, have three children Mason, Kyle and Lauren. They are members of St. James Catholic Church. The family enjoys fishing, camping, snow skiing and baseball.
