Sam Branch Email & Phone Number

Represent BGEA across Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee and cultivate relationships with donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Prepare executive summaries and updates for President’s office.▪ Work closely with senior leadership, developing and directing the region’s priorities and strategies with the goal of increasing visibility, donor retention, and contributions.▪ Oversee complex donations such as real property, corporate donations, and stock options.▪ Assist donors through deferred gift process utilizing annuities, trusts, and wills.▪ Develop and manage regional donor events and partnership strategies.▪ Responsible for generating annual revenue in excess of $2.0 million.▪ Manage flow of information and legal documents between donors and BGEA officeRepresents Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in assigned region, appropriately communicating the vision of BGEA while developing and cultivating relationships with donors who have embraced BGEA’s vision for ministry as well as with prospective donors. Regional Manager will have understanding and skills to assist supporters at all levels of commitment and capacity.

Responsible for all intercollegiate fundraising for 21 sports. Provides primary leadership for the athletic major gift fundraising efforts, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects and donors. Responsible for the oversight of the assigned administrative services of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics for the University of Alabama involving the conduct, administration, and governance of the Intercollegiate Athletics programs and participating in the decision making process regarding key issues affecting the department. Assist with the development and implementation of plans for support of capital campaigns and annual giving programs initiated by the Athletic Department. These campaigns are utilized to provide funding necessary to build and maintain current and future facilities, scholarships, and programs for student-athletes. Responsible of cultivating personal relationships between the Athletic Department and individual, essential corporate, and foundation donors to increase major gifts to insure future stability of the Athletic Department. Also, entertain donors at various Athletic events, home and away. Have demonstrated a high degree of trust, integrity and credibility in all areas of compliance.

Responsible for all aspects of the Intercollegiate Athletics fundraising activities for the University of Alabama including the coordination of all annual, major and planned gifts, capital campaigns corporate and foundation giving, and stewardship with a goal of maximizing donations for the department. Responsible for the administration of the planning and implementation of policies. As a member of the Executive Staff Leadership Team managed the day-to-day operations of the development staff to maximize contributions from all sources. Had to analyze existing fundraising strategies and create innovative and new methods to promote and enhance philanthropic support for intercollegiate athletics from donors/prospects locally, regionally, and nationally. Reported directly to the Director of Athletics and worked closely with the Chief Financial Officer. Had to continually cultivate relationships to increase major gifts to insure future stability of the Athletics Department. Develop and implement plans for support of capital campaigns and annual giving programs. During my tenure I was able to hire two new Major Gift Officers who were very successful and added great value to our team. In addition we formulated the Bryant Society made up of those donors who gave $1,000,000 or more individually to our Athletic Department. We presently have 30 donors who meet this criteria.

Hattiesburg, Mississippi Area

Assist in recruiting, training, and developing team members to enhance the growth within agency building. This includes marketing, business management, sales management, best practices, and product knowledge.

Birmingham, Alabama Area

After successfully building a very high profile sales team in the Birmingham area I was asked to move to the next level and work directly with the Southern Zone (Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and South Carolina) to develop initiatives to enhance growth in several areas. Among these (1) develop and implement a Financial Services Sales Program for agents and team members (2) work with new agency leaders to help them grow in their leadership skills and abilities (3) assisting in the development and administration of an Agency Field Leadership fundamentals program (4) assisting with the Look at Leadership Program to identify future leaders for the organization, and (5) expanding agent participation in the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA)

Birmingham, Alabama Area

Ask to relocate to Birmingham AL to develop a high producing agency team to increase market share in insurance and financial services with specialized sales and training programs. Worked with 30 State Farm agents (11 Registered Reps) and 102 licensed agency staff. During my tenure in Birmingham I developed this agency team into one of the top teams in the Southern Zone. Managed all marketing, education, development, and planning for the Metro Central Agency Field Office. Developed systems and processes used in Marketing and Managing for Quality programs. Ethics and compliance administration and sales training. Technology training. Agency recognized as Top Life Producing Team in Alabama from 2004-2010. As a result of these efforts, I qualified for Exotic Life Travel.

Gulfport, Ms

Managed sales and training for 35 State Farm agents (26 Registered Reps) and 81 licensed agency staff in South MS. Managed all marketing, education, development, and planning for the Gulf Coast Agency Field Office. Developed systems and processes used in Marketing and Managing for Quality programs. Ethics, compliance administration, and training. Technology training. Mentor and train Agency Field Consultant, Agency Field Specialist, Life Sales Specialist, and Financial Services Product Associate to ensure their growth and development into emerging leaders within the Corporation. Develop special catastrophe procedures that are used in hurricane preparedness. Establish Best Practices to assist agents and licensed staff in the growth and development of their agencies. Recognized in VPA area for expense management. Recognized as a leader within State Farm in training and employee mentoring, sales leadership, and marketing sharing the platform with Zig Ziglar, Lou Holtz, and Bobby Knight. Served as principal for State Farm Investment Management Company, managing sales and training of 26 NASD registered representatives. Charter Member of the State Farm Inner Circle. Qualified 38 years for State Farm Millionaire Club with world travel and recognition. Highest Team Recognition for Life production, resulting in world travel to Greek Isles, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Italy, Spain, Maui, Bermuda and other European cities.

Gulfport Ms

Responsible for recruiting, selecting, training, and developing new and established agents. Managed all agency operations including marketing, budgeting, management exposure, business management, sales management, advertising, public affairs, agent/staff development, and product knowledge. Served as liaison between independent contractor agents and the regional operations and claim partners. Mentored two agents who became Agency Managers within the enterprise. Developed one of the Top Sales Team in the company with national recognition. Highlights include: William D. Sanders Leadership Award-Highest regional leadership award. #1 Agency Manager in Rome with 100% of Agency Team qualifying for Millionaire Club. Agency Team boasting two Company Life Sales Records

Moss Point Ms

Youngest agent ever hired with State Farm Insurance at the time of my appointment. Started agency from the ground up to market auto, fire, life and health insurance products. #1 Trainee Agent in the Mid-South Region. Qualified for Mid-South Freshman All Star Team, Mid-South Agency All Star Team and Millionaire Club.

Chartered Leadership Fellow, Leadership

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Business Administration And Management, General

Activities and Societies: Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity