Click to read a summary of each individual's resource development and
fund-raising experience:

Jennifer R. Kerns • Richard M. Witter • Kay A. Floyd
Charles A. Plese • Krista S. Schumacher

Jennifer R. Kerns, President
Jennifer Kerns began her career at the American Association of Community Colleges in Washington, DC. For several years, she staffed the office of the Executive Secretary of the Council for Resource Development (CRD), an organization of college fund-raising professionals. At JCCI, Ms. Kerns has consulted with and visited 200 colleges nationwide. She has helped clients design and develop new programs, has researched and identified funding sources, has written grants and critiqued hundreds of grant applications, has evaluated college programs and services, and has advised clients about strategies for public- and private-sector resource development. Ms. Kerns instituted JCCI's comprehensive alumni program services. Since becoming president and owner of JCCI, Ms. Kerns has helped raise more than $200 million for her clients.

Richard M. Witter, Senior Associate
Richard Witter brings to JCCI Resource Development Services more than 40 years of fund-raising experience with private and public colleges and universities as well as associations of colleges and individuals. He has done institutional strategic planning, has conducted annual funds, has prepared institutional case statements, has started a professional faculty association's planned giving program, has assisted with special events fund raising, and has managed government and private grantsmanship programs. Mr. Witter has helped raise millions of dollars through grants, capital campaigns, and annual and planned giving programs.

Kay A. Floyd, Associate
Kay A. Floyd served as Director of Grants and Contracts for nine of the sixteen years that she worked in higher education. She successfully helped a small state university move forward through several initiatives. These accomplishments included increased grant revenue from seven to nine percent of total revenue, and development and implementation of the university’s first organized grants system. Kay also served as project director for two major federal grants and was responsible for monitoring million dollar budgets; supervising project personnel in the accomplishment of goals and objectives; evaluating outcomes; and ensuring compliance with federal rules and regulations. In addition to her grants and contracts activities, Ms. Floyd directed and successfully completed many special projects and efforts. These ranged from a two-year accreditation process to over ten years of strategic planning development and implementation. She also worked on federal appropriations requests and acted as a liaison with legislative staff in Washington, DC. Ms. Floyd has been a key contributor at JCCI Resource Development Services in both project development and grant writing, winning millions of dollar for colleges. She has also been a presenter at the firm’s national Title III and V workshop as well as at workshops on college campuses.

Charles A. Plese, Associate
Former director of public relations and institutional development and dean of institutional advancement, Chuck Plese has extensive knowledge and experience in the many phases of resource development in higher education. Mr. Plese has successfully written and otherwise been involved with numerous federal grants, including those awarded under Title III and Title V of the Higher Education Act, Cooperative Education, and Workplace Literacy, and by the National Science Foundation. He has been responsible for college foundation fund-raising, has overseen alumni affairs, and has orchestrated countless special events. A long-time college teacher and administrator, Mr. Plese understands the workings of institutions of higher education. His experience, his strong communication and interpersonal skills, and his excellent writing ability make him a significant asset to JCCI Resource Development Services.

Krista S. Schumacher, Associate
A successful grants director at several colleges prior to working with JCCI, Krista Schumacher has raised millions of dollars from federal agencies including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Departments of Labor, Education and Justice, plus the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology. Her winning grant proposals have focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, university research and development activities, workforce development, and programs to support disadvantaged, underserved populations. Krista’s substantial academic credentials, interests and grant successes – in public health, nursing education, literacy, and program evaluation – strengthen the firm’s expertise in areas so important in resource development today.