Our Staff

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Alex Gary
Senior Associate Athletic Director, Development

Alex Gary joined the OSU Foundation on September 1. He oversees the Our Beaver Nation team, providing leadership and management of a comprehensive fundraising effort for Beaver Athletics. He serves as a working member of the OSU Athletics executive team to provide strategic direction and leadership for a comprehensive annual fundraising plan.

Prior to joining the OSU Foundation, Gary spent three years at the University of Maryland as the Associate Athletics Director for Development & External Services. There he led the Terrapin Club to unprecedented annual giving growth, from $8.3M in 2014 to $11.4 in 2016, while overseeing the club’s seven-figure budget. He managed a major gift portfolio with a focus on Maryland’s Fearless Ideas campaign, while overseeing the Terrapin Club’s Board of Directors. Gary also served as a sport administrator for the Terps’ baseball team during his time in College Park.

Prior to Maryland, Gary spent four years at the University of Michigan where he led the major gifts effort, soliciting and closing $12.8M to support the capital and endowment needs of Michigan Athletics. He served as the fundraising contact for men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, and women’s golf while in Ann Arbor. He also created strategies focused on marketing and selling premium seat inventory for the newly renovated Michigan Stadium expansion project in 2010-11.

Alex Gary began is athletic administration career at University of North Carolina at Charlotte as the Assistant Director of Annual Giving, after earning his master of business administration from the university. He earned his bachelor of science in business administration from Virginia Commonwealth University while also competing as a baseball student-athlete for the Rams.

Mat Kanan

Mat Kanan
Assistant Athletic Director of Development, Communications & Stewardship

Mat Kanan joined the Our Beaver Nation staff as the Director of Athletic Development Communications on Aug. 1, 2014 after spending the past nine years at Western Michigan University, the last seven as the director of athletic media relations. Kanan, an Ohio native, is responsible for creating communication initiatives that not only tell the story of how support given to Oregon State Athletics enhances our student-athletes’ collective experience, but also shed a light on those that give in so many ways, providing our donor community a different look into all 17 Beaver athletic programs. Prior to joining Oregon State, Kanan served as the director of media relations at Western Michigan where he headed a staff of three full-time employees as well as the department's student-run video team. He built and enhanced the Broncos’ brand on various social media platforms, creating the department’s official Twitter account and YouTube channel, while also assisting various sports in creating and/or building their respective following on social media.  Kanan also created and administered social media training to all of WMU’s student-athletes, a service he began providing in the fall of 2012. Kanan began his career in college athletics at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, before earning a position at the University of Pennsylvania in 2003. Prior to 2003, he worked in the private sector as a product communications and marketing manager in the telecom industry. Kanan has been an active member of the College Sports Information Directors of America since 2003 and joined NAADD in 2014.  He has presented at the annual NACDA/CoSIDA convention every year since 2013, speaking on the subject of social media strategy and monetizing your story. Kanan earned has a journalism degree from Ohio University and earned his master’s in sports management from Western Michigan in June of 2009.  He and his wife, Donna, have two daughters, Paige and Zoe.
 
Jacob Kirkham

Jacob Kirkham
Assistant Athletic Director, Major Gifts

Jacob Kirkham joined the Our Beaver Nation staff as Assistant Athletic Director, Major Gifts - Development on March 22, 2017. He oversees all major gift initiatives as well as manages a team of four Development staff. Jacob joins the OSU Foundation after nearly three years as a Major Gift Officer for West Virginia University Athletics and the Mountaineer Athletic Club. There he was responsible for securing high-end annual gifts and funds for major capital projects. He also oversaw the Jerry West Society and facilitated the creation of several endowed student-athlete scholarships. Prior to his time at WVU, Kirkham spent three years at the University of Utah working in major gifts. Kirkham earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Utah. While a student he was successful leading a new effort, Rock the U, which still exists today and raises money for cancer research. He also served as a marketing assistant for Utah Athletics and was a sports talk radio host. While earning his master’s degree in sport administration from Ohio University, Kirkham conducted hours of research on college athletics development, interviewed industry professionals and produced a report about best practices. Jacob and his wife, Whitney, have four children, daughter Cassity (8), identical twin sons Walt and Charlie (5), and daughter Quinn (1).
 
Jeff Pivic

Jeff Pivic
Assistant Athletic Director, Annual Giving

Jeff Pivic joined the Our Beaver Nation team as Assistant Athletic Director, Annual Giving on June 1, 2016. He is responsible for the growth and maintenance of our annual giving efforts in support of scholarships as well as heading up individual sport-giving. Pivic is no stranger to the Pac-12. The Wyoming native comes to OSU from Arizona State where he had been with the Sun Devil Club since September of 2013. While in Tempe, he directly oversaw and coordinated all annual fund solicitation efforts, which attributed to 52 percent growth since FY13. Pivic graduated from the University of Wyoming in May of 2008, and while working full time he completed his Masters in Sports Management online from Southern New Hampshire University. Jeff worked for his alma mater in a series of roles since 2008. While with the Cowboy Joe Club, he held positions as an intern, development officer, Director of Development, and finally Assistant Athletic Director for Development. During his final role with the CJC Pivic was responsible for all day-to-day activity within the office and held complete oversight of the entire annual fund. Jeff and his wife Emily have one daughter, Harper.
 
Yvenson Bernard

Yvenson Bernard
Discovery Officer

Yvenson Bernard joined the Our Beaver Nation office in February of 2015 as a Discovery Officer. Bernard manages a discovery portfolio with a special focus on current and former student-athletes, especially those who are, or have been, in the National Football League in order to advance OSU Athletics' philanthropic priorities. The Boca Raton, Fla., native was a highly decorated running back for Oregon State Football (2004-07), finishing his collegiate career with the third-most rushing yards (3,862) in program history. Bernard also has the second-most rushing attempts (876) and 100-yard rushing games (19) in program history. He was named team captain during the 2006-07 seasons. Bernard played in the Canadian Football League from 2009-12. Bernard graduated from Oregon State in 2008 with a degree in merchandise management. After his football career he worked at Nike for one year before teaching and coaching football at his high school in Boca Raton, Fla. He later returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant, working with running backs. Yvenson and his wife Michelle now reside in Corvallis.
 
Lacey Caligure

Lacey Caligure
Receptionist/Administrative Assistant

Lacey Caligure joined the Our Beaver Nation team as the receptionist/administrative assistant on April 1, 2016. Following 10 years of administrative service to the Music Department at Western Oregon University, Lacey will play an integral role running the Our Beaver Nation office, and will provide support to stewardship, events, and fundraising efforts for athletics. Caligure earned her bachelor’s degree in contemporary music at Western Oregon University.
 
Jenni Dingeldein

Jenni Dingeldein
Director of Development, Athletics (Portland)

Jenni Dingeldein joined the Our Beaver Nation team on February 24, 2016, as our second development officer in the Portland office. Prior to joining the OSU Foundation, she was with the American Heart Association of Oregon and SW Washington since 2011. Her experience in donor cultivation, event-based fundraising and stewardship will undoubtedly benefit our team’s efforts and mission in support of our student-athletes and overall athletics initiatives. Jenni’s experience in the non-profit arena extends to her time with Junior Achievement of Northern California from 2007-11 and Freedom from Hunger in 2006-07. Jenni earned her BA in political science from UC Davis and earned her master’s in nonprofit administration from the University of San Francisco. A loyal alum of UC Davis, Jenni has been a network leader for the Cal Aggie Alumni Association since 2014. She and her husband reside in Portland.

 
Skylar Erhardt

Skylar Erhardt
Assistant Director of Annual Giving

skylar.erhardt@osufoundation.org
541-737-3361

Skylar Erhardt joined the Our Beaver Nation team as an Assistant Director for Annual Giving on September 1, 2016 after growing the OSU Foundation Telefund over the past five years. A 2013 graduate of Oregon State University, Erhardt began her time in the OSUF Telefund as a student fundraiser and lead caller in 2011, setting record for most funds raised by a student in a fiscal year ($80k). For her efforts, she was raised to student supervisor, assisting in the management of 40-55 student fundraisers. After graduation, Erhardt continued with the OSUF Telefund as the student-based programs manager and led a team that raised $100k in FY15, and raised $95k in support of Our Beaver Nation. With Our Beaver Nation, Erhardt will work with the rest of the Annual Giving team to secure funds in support of student-athlete scholarships as well as raise sport-specific funds. She is also tasked with initiating a women's giving program at Oregon State.
 
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Jen Mays
Director of Events

Jen Mays started at Oregon State University as an Events Coordinator for Our Beaver Nation in 2008 and was promoted to Director of Events in 2013.  She is responsible for all aspects of the development and implementation of events for Our Beaver Nation donors and prospects, while also serving as the athletic department's primary event planner. A 2008 graduate of Oregon State University, Mays has a bachelor's degree in business administration management. While a student at OSU, Mays worked for six years at the Boys & Girls Club of Albany as a member of the Middle School Program Staff as well as an Athletic Supervisor. She also assisted with their special events. Mays also spent five years as a group exercise instructor at Timberhill Athletic Club. Jennifer is a native of Gresham, Oregon.  She is on the Board of Directors at Benton County’s CASA-Voices for Children, and volunteers for various non-profit organizations serving at risk youth.
 
Rebecca McCaulley

Rebecca McCaulley
Administrative Assistant, Development & Donor Relations

Rebecca McCaulley joined the Our Beaver Nation staff in May of 2013, after spending the previous three years at the OSU Foundation fundraising for the Colleges of Science and Liberal Arts. Rebecca manages special projects and small events on behalf of the Senior Associate Athletic Director, Development, and is the office's primary contact for the creation and submission of all major gift agreements. McCaulley holds a bachelor's degree in American Studies from the Oregon State University (2008). She, her husband Adam, son Cameron and their two dogs reside in Albany.
 
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Brandon McCladdie
Director of Development, Athletics

Brandon McCladdie joined the Our Beaver Nation staff as a Director of Development in December of 2017. He works with donors throughout Oregon and his out-of-state territories include Denver and Southern California.

Brandon joins the OSU Foundation after nearly three years as a fundraiser for the Virginia Athletics Foundation. There he was responsible for securing leadership annual gifts and funds for major capital projects. He also oversaw social media efforts, the young alumni program, and was the liaison for women’s basketball.

Prior to his time at UVA, McCladdie completed an internship with NACDA specifically working with NAADD, NAATSO, MOAA, the FCS ADA, Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year and the McLendon Foundation.

Brandon is a native of Augusta, Georgia and earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management and MBA from The Citadel - The Military College of South Carolina. While at The Citadel, he served as a two-time team captain and leadership council member on the football team, finishing his career at number six in program history on the career passes defended list.  


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Drake Sacenti
Program Coordinator, Annual Giving

Drake Sacenti joined the Our Beaver Nation staff in May of 2018. He will serve an internal role on the annual giving team responsible for parking, Beaver Point System and the Ambassador Program, among other duties.

Drake comes to Oregon State from Ohio University where he served as a graduate assistant with the Ohio Bobcat Club. He assisted in all areas of Ohio Athletics development during a year that saw a seven percent increase in annual giving and 19% increase in donor membership from the previous year. As an undergrad at the University of Nevada, Sacenti served as a development intern and was active in student government.

The Las Vegas native earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance from Nevada and holds a Master of Business Administration and Sport Administration from Ohio University.
 
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Mark Siewell
Senior Accounting Technician

Mark Siewell joined Our Beaver Nation as an Accounting Technician in August of 1993. As the Senior Accounting Technician he is the supervisor of athletic gift accounting at the OSU Foundation.  Some of his other duties include the creation of athletic reports and mail lists, the processing of securities gifts and performing the annual credit card security self-audits at the OSUF. Prior to his arrival to Oregon State University, Mark worked in various accounting positions for a local robotics manufacturer and the Oregon Department of Corrections. He also served in the United State Air Force. Mark and his wife Lori live in Lebanon. They are the parents of two grown children, Stephen and Megan, and they have two granddaughters, Latané and Piper.
 
Barry Spiegelberg

Barry Spiegelberg
Director of Development, Athletics (Portland)

Barry joined the Our Beaver Nation staff on June 1, 2015 as the Director of Development for Athletics in our Portland office. Barry will be responsible for developing relationships with our donor community in support of OSU Athletics within the Portland and Seattle markets. Prior to joining Our Beaver Nation, Barry had been employed with Beaver Sports Properties since 1996, receiving multiple accolades for his performance along the away. In 2000 and 2001, Barry was a Chairman's Club Winner and in 2001, he BSP earn Property of the Year. Barry worked in hotel administration from 1984-96 before joining BSP. Barry earned a degree in hotel administration from Washington State in 1984. He and his wife Kim have two grown children.
 
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Steve Sullivan
Director of Development, Athletics

Steve Sullivan joined the Our Beaver Nation staff in December of 2017 as Director of Development for Major Gifts after supporting Oregon State Athletics for 11 years as the General Manager of Beaver Sports Properties.
 
While at BSP, Sullivan led a staff that sold over $50M in corporate partnership revenue and personally negotiated and sold over $15M in corporate partnership revenue.
 
Prior to joining Beaver Sports Properties, Sullivan was the general manager of Bulldog Sports Properties at Fresno State where he also managed the multi-media rights.  Steve negotiated and directed the $1.6 million football video board project and grew corporate partnership revenue by 50% during his 2 ½ years. 
 
Before Fresno State and working for Learfield Communications, Steve was the Director of Marketing Partnerships for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.  He developed and executed commercial naming right opportunities and sold cooperative marketing partnerships nationally generating over $3 million in revenue and value-in-kind during his tenure from 2002-04. 
 
Sullivan spent 12 years working for four intercollegiate athletic institutions – Texas Tech University, The University of Arizona, University of Connecticut, and University of Miami (FL).  He was Associate Athletics Director for External Operations at Texas Tech University from 1999-2002 where he managed and directed the marketing, sponsorship sales, ticketing and media relations departments.  From 1992-1999 Steve worked at The University of Arizona as the Director of Marketing and Corporate Partnerships where he increased sponsorship revenue from $75,000 to $2.1 million.  Sullivan also time two years at The University of Connecticut and The University of Miami (FL), as the Assistant Director of Marketing and Promotions and a graduate assistant.
 
Steve earned his undergraduate degree from The University of Arizona in Business Administration in 1987.  He received a Master of Science in Sports Administration from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida in 1990.
 
He and his wife Carleen, also an Oregon native, live in Corvallis and have four children, Kelsie (17) and 13-year old triplets Kellen, Kylie, and Karsten.