Bios

William L. McConkey -- Chairman, St. Louis, MO

Rev. McConkey is a graduate of the University of Missouri where he received a B.A. in Psychology. He also holds a Master of Divinity degree from the University of Dubuque having graduated summa cum laude. Chairman of the Board of McConkey-Johnston, Bill has 59 years of experience in marketing and 46 years in development.

A well-known lecturer specializing in development and marketing theory, principles and practice, Bill is a skilled trainer and consultant who has personally trained scores of successful development professionals in senior management. He is the author of The Encyclopedia of Development Training (A - Z), and The Foundation Grants Project Research Manual. He is the originator of the MMDI Development Marketing and Management System and many development theories, principles and concepts including: Development Eyes, Donor Movement, Receipt Solicitation, FIND-WIN-KEEP-LIFT, Maximum Donor Utilization, Income Thrust Management and the Mind of the Donor. The MMDI system is used by many organizations of all sizes to dramatically increase their income.

An expert in Foundation Grants, Bill provides analytical and strategic counsel for major gift campaigns. His clients include many of the leading Christian organizations in America. He serves on many boards of directors, including the Christian Broadcasting Network (VA), Northstar Studios (TN) and Global Teams (NC). Bill lives in a St. Louis suburb where he also serves as senior pastor of Sutter Presbyterian Church.

Larry F. Johnston -- President, Woodland Park, CO

Dr. Johnston attended California State University, Fullerton, where he received a B.A. in Foreign Languages. A former VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) volunteer, Larry has spent his entire career working on behalf of non-profit organizations.

A well-known development consultant and lecturer, Larry has taught at the Graduate Program of Fund Raising Management, the University of San Diego, and lectures at conferences coast to coast. Beginning in 1978 he served as Campaign Coordinator and Counsel to the Billion Dollar “Here’s Life” Campaign of Campus Crusade for Christ, one of the largest private fund-raising efforts in history. During this time, he completed his course work toward a Master of Science in Organization Development at the Graduate School of Business and Management, Pepperdine University. He holds an M.A. degree in Organization Development and a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems from the Fielding Graduate Institute.

Larry’s doctoral research resulted in the creation of new concepts for determining and maximizing donor value. Having consulted internationally with clients in Canada, Europe and Latin America, he has a special interest in strategic management and organization development, and leading and managing organizational change. Larry and his wife Rebecca live in Woodland Park, Colorado.

Barry McLeish -- Vice President, International Division, Madison, WI

Before joining McConkey-Johnston, Barry McLeish was the Director of Development for Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship and served as a member of Inter-Varsity’s senior management team. In addition to his position as Director of Development and Marketing, he also served as Creative Director. Barry coauthored a book on personal support fund-raising entitled The Personal Support Raising Handbook. He is also the author of The Donor Bond, and Successful Marketing Strategies for Nonprofit Organizations. His latest book, entitled Yours, Mine and Ours: Creating a Compelling Donor Experience, is available through Wiley Press.

As a member of the executive team of McConkey-Johnston Barry combines many years of experience as a manager of comprehensive development programs with special expertise in direct mail, advertising, public relations and brochure techniques. Barry attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where he received a B.A. in Advertising and a Master’s Degree in Direct Marketing. He also holds an M.A. from the Fielding Institute in Human and Organization Development. Barry and his wife, Deborah, live near Madison, Wisconsin.

Jeff McLinden -- Vice President, Colorado Springs, CO

Jeff McLinden has worked in the areas of resource development and marketing for nonprofit institutions since 1979 including senior roles in development, creative marketing and management for Campus Crusade for Christ, The Christian Broadcasting Network, and Bible Literature International. In 1988, Jeff was awarded recognition for exemplary service as a Development Professional by the Development Association for Christian Institutions (DACI).

Since joining the McConkey-Johnston team in 1992, Jeff has helped a broad variety of clients in many areas of development, communications and organizational change. He specializes in marketing and development communications strategies, such as organizational branding strategies, direct mail fund-raising, development publications, and the creation and management of donor involvement programs. Jeff is a frequent leader of seminars on these topics at professional development conferences such as those sponsored by the Christian Stewardship Association and Evangelical Development Ministry. Jeff received degrees in Marketing and Communications from Miami University and lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, Lynn, and their family.

Ron Frey -- Senior Development Consultant, Portland, OR

Ron Frey is a veteran fundraising consultant with 23 years of experience in nonprofit management, marketing and donor development. Ron has served in key management and marketing positions at Campus Crusade for Christ, Mission Aviation Fellowship, Food for the Hungry, Mercy Corps International and the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association.

A marketing specialist, Ron has created some highly successful campaigns utilizing integrated media approaches. He also pioneered work in developing corporate sponsorships and "super-event" strategies for some of the most successful community-wide evangelistic outreaches in recent history. Through his years of service, Ron has gained an in-depth understanding of donor development from acquisition to major donor work, as well as focusing on strategic leadership and branding issues. He is also a Certified Financial Planner and has extensive experience in developing planned giving strategies for ministries, as well as working directly with major donors in estate and major gift planning. Ron has been a speaker at the Evangelical Development Ministry Institute, Christian Management Association and has served on the We Care America non-profit training team. Ron lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife Suzanne and three children.

Redina Kolaneci -- Senior Counsel, United Kingdom...

Since 1998 Redina has undertaken various research and consulting projects focusing on the relationship between churches and Christian charities, giving patterns of under 35’s and the effects of socio-demographic factors on Christian giving. She has also trained hundreds of church leaders and fundraisers in Christian organisation in the UK, Europe, Australia and the USA on a wide range of fundraising and stewardship topics.

During the last five years Redina has served as a consultant or trainer to: London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC), Initiatives of Change UK, Renewal Arts Network, Evangelical Alliance UK, CMS Australia, Derek Prince Ministries UK, European Christian Mission, Food for the Hungry UK and other charities. She has a special interest in communications, research and training that enable charities to build long term partnerships with their supporters and develop funding strategies that combine best practice, leading edge professional knowledge and biblical principles. Redina lives in Colchester, Essex.

Denis Tocci -- Senior Counsel, Fisherville, KY...

Dr. Tocci received his B.S. in Psychology from Colorado State University, M.S. in Systems Management from the University of Southern California and Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University. He also earned the status of Certified Fundraising Manager (CFM) from Indiana University – Purdue University. He served in the military as a Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, Post Liaison Officer, and Project Manager for a sub-system of the Army’s current main battle tank. For over twenty-four years he served in a variety of sales and marketing roles for American Hospital Supply Corporation, Baxter International, and Allergan, Inc. During these same years he was the President and CEO of several businesses that he started and sold. As a volunteer, he has served as the Executive Administrator for an evangelical organization that provided business and humanitarian services in closed countries in Central and Southeast Asia. Most recently, he served for five years as the President of the BBC Foundation, Inc. and Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Baptist Bible College, Graduate School and Seminary. As a result of his diversity of management and leadership training and experience he teaches Leadership, Ethics, Change, Organization Development and Team related courses for Christian Universities. His gifts, interests, and skills in fundraising and change management combine to provide a rich perspective that enables evangelical organizations to better leverage their mission and ministry to secure more resources and significantly impact their ability to achieve their Great Commission vision.

Jan Urbec - Development Consultant, Branson, MO

Jan Urbec joined McConkey-Johnston after serving as CEO of The Caring People, based in Branson, MO. She also served as a partner and facilitator of "Leading Edge Leadership," a senior-level learning retreat that provides tools for effective leadership and high-performance teams. In addition, Jan has taught courses on marketing creativity at the Sprint University of Excellence, and she formerly owned The Pinkerton Group, a marketing communications and training company. During a seven-year stint as Executive Director of the Ozark Marketing Council, Jan worked extensively with national news media to promote the Branson tourism industry. Jan holds an undergraduate degree in psychology and a masters in sociology from the University of Missouri, and is responsible for developing the University's business leadership institute for teenagers called "Missouri Business Week," a summer program that enlists business executives as teachers. Jan and her husband live in Branson, Missouri.

Bruce Cole - Development Consultant, Colorado Springs, CO

Bruce Cole joined our consulting team following his role as Manager of Organizational Development for Focus on the Family where he developed and provided specialized training in nonprofit management and fundraising strategies. Previously he served as executive director of two pregnancy resource centers and development director at Northwest University of the Assemblies of God, as well as serving in both youth and senior pastoral ministries. He also worked as a consultant with a major telemarketing firm providing fundraising counsel to organizations including National Right to Life, Concerned Women for America and the Republican National Committee. Bruce holds a Masters degree in Organization Development and a B.S. in Business Administration and Finance, and he is a presenter at various national conferences and workshops. Bruce's expertise is in organizational diagnosis, development strategies, strategic planning, board development and training. Bruce and his wife Marcia have four children, one grandchild, and live in Colorado Springs.

Sally Funk -- Manager Support Systems & Services, Colorado Springs, CO

With more than 20 years experience in development, Sally has served in nonprofit organizations large and small, including campus ministries, private schools and missions organizations. Sally served on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ's development office, as well as with International Students, Inc. She most recently was director of development for Evangelical Christian Academy in Colorado Springs. Her broad range of experience includes work with foundations, direct mail, partner program management, and the development of information systems and structures for effective development management. Sally has significant experience with donor and development software and systems and helps organizations evaluate and transition to appropriate development systems solutions. Sally lives in Colorado Springs.

Margaret Lankford Winn -- Director of Finance, Alexandria, VA

Margaret has spent more than 20 years in finance, development and administration. A Certified Public Accountant, Margaret has served in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations large and small. Margaret has experience as the Chief Financial Officer of several organizations. She also held the position of North American Director of Evergreen Family Friendship Service, a Christian service organization serving in Shanxi, China. She also served as director of development for Evergreen in Colorado Springs. Her experience includes financial management, financial auditing, tax compliance, and work with foundations, direct mail, and information systems. In addition to her duties as M/J’s CFO, Margaret consults with organizations in the area of finance and makes her home in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband Pete.