FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information: Glenn Vallach (201-307-1970)
GHIORSI & SORRENTI PROMOTES TWO TO SENIOR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS
Allen J. O'Keefe and Christopher J. O'Connor Named Senior Vice Presidents
Ghiorsi & Sorrenti, Inc. (GSI) has promoted two of its most tenured management team members, it was announced today by the New Jersey-based fund raising and public relations firm.
Allen J. O'Keefe and Christopher J. O'Connor have both been named Senior Vice Presidents of GSI. Both O’Keefe and O’Connor have been long-time employees and members of the firm’s senior management team.
"Al and Chris are extraordinary professionals, two of the most talented people in our industry.” said Peter W. Ghiorsi, Chairman & CEO of GSI. "We have worked hard over our 20 years in practice to build a team of the best people in the business. Because of Al and Chris’ leadership, both in our firm and our profession, they richly deserve this distinction."
Chris O'Connor joined GSI in 1995. Within a few years, he was promoted to Vice President and Managing Director responsible for building GSI’s presence in the New England market. Since that time, GSI has served as capital campaign counsel to more healthcare organizations in New England than any other firm. Chris has served as GSI’s lead executive for a number of clients including flagship assignments with Catholic Healthcare West, to conduct system-wide philanthropy assessments for the system’s foundations, and Boys Town of Omaha, NE, to produce a National Development and Fund Raising Strategic Plan that will enhance fund raising productivity in support of the organization’s mission and vision. Chris has also extended his industry leadership by serving on the Board of Directors of the New England Association of Healthcare Philanthropy (NEAHP) as the Executive Committee’s Vice President of Finance/Treasurer.
“Chris has done an exceptional job in developing new business and supervising client engagements including campaign planning studies, capital campaigns, and foundation development program audits and assessments of philanthropic potential,” said Mr. Ghiorsi.
Al O’Keefe has been with GSI for 12 years serving as Vice President and Managing Director of Healthcare Systems and as the firm’s lead executive for the southeastern region of the United States. Among his many accomplishments, Al led GSI’s efforts in directing the successful $100 million Saint Barnabas Health System capital campaign which is the largest campaign ever conducted for a health system in New Jersey. Al’s vast portfolio of clients with GSI include the Healthcare Foundation of North Mississippi, Tupelo, MS; Morton Plant Mease Foundation, Clearwater, FL; St. Joseph Hospital’s Foundation, Tampa, FL; Greenville Health System, Greenville, SC; Munson Healthcare, Traverse City, MI; the Harold Leever Cancer Center, Waterbury, CT; and the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ.
“Al has one of the sharpest minds in the business when it comes to major gift fund raising and strategy, evidenced by the fact that his clients consistently achieve and surpass goal,” said Dan Sorrenti, founding partner and President of GSI.
Mr. O'Keefe has more than 25 years experience in major gift fund raising, capital campaigning, non-profit marketing and public relations, and has served during his career as vice president of an international educational and healthcare organization based in Dublin, Ireland; corporate vice president for a prestigious northern New Jersey hospital; and in senior positions at two major fund raising consulting firms, including GSI. He has been a frequent speaker at international conferences sponsored by various professional associations, including AHP.
"Both Chris and Al have been instrumental in building our business substantially over the last several years," said Mr. Sorrenti. "We're grateful to have them on our team and for all they have done to make GSI a leader and a firm of choice in our industry.”
Headquartered in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, GSI is a leading fund raising and public relations firm, specializing in planning and conducting capital campaigns for the full spectrum of non-profit organizations. Since 1989, Ghiorsi & Sorrenti, Inc. has partnered with hundreds of organizations in raising more than $6 billion with an additional $6 million in progress.
