National 4-H Council Adds New Senior Vice President/Chief Business Development Officer

Christina Alford to lead new fundraising and partnership initiatives

CHEVY CHASE, Md., May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National 4-H Council has named Christina Alford as its new senior vice president and chief business development officer. As a corporate social responsibility expert and most recently the top fundraiser for Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), Ms. Alford will be responsible for increasing revenue for the 4-H movement through new partnerships, high-profile events, branded product sales, and ultimately, will be instrumental in achieving the organization's new growth strategy.

"We are thrilled to welcome Christina to Council's senior leadership team," said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., president and CEO, National 4-H Council. "Her vast experience as a leading strategic fundraiser and dedication to positive youth development will enhance our efforts to significantly increase revenue and impact for the 7 million young people we serve around the world," added Floyd.

In joining National 4-H Council, Ms. Alford brings nearly 15 years of experience in resource development, branding, and marketing positions in the education and the youth development fields. Most recently serving as National Vice President for Corporate Partnerships with BGCA, Ms. Alford managed 24 national fundraisers creating cause-related marketing promotions, national corporate program sponsorships, public relations and program elements comprising nearly $50 million in revenue. Prior to this, Ms. Alford was vice president of development and marketing for BGCA. In this role, she led a 26-person corporate development team to generate significant year-over-year increases in revenue. Ms. Alford is responsible for achieving BGCA's highest corporate revenue years in the organization's history in 2010 and 2012.

"Throughout the span of my career, I have worked to champion and support youth development," said Christina Alford. "My two children—Aida Sophia and Christopher Alexander—make the mission to improve the lives of children very personal for me. Joining the team at National 4-H Council will provide me the opportunity to continue this important work on a global scale."

Prior to serving as vice president of development and marketing with BGCA, Ms. Alford served as the president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County, Texas. She was responsible for turning around the struggling youth development organization, making it more profitable and successful in serving the 4,200 young people positively impacted by the program.

While in Texas, Ms. Alford also worked for the Plano Independent School District where she created mentoring and tutoring programs for at-risk students. In 1999, Ms. Alford started her professional career at Ernst & Young LLC in Dallas as a project manager for the Global Delivery Center. Her responsibilities included the coordination of several global branding campaigns as well as the creation and distribution of all internal marketing and communications collateral. 

Ms. Alford received her M.A. in corporate communication and B.A. in political science and communication from Baylor University. She currently resides with her family in the Dallas metro area.

About 4-H
4-H is a community of six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within USDA. The 4-H programs are implemented by the 109 land grant universities and the Cooperative Extension System through their 3,100 local Extension offices across the country. Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H and Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H.

SOURCE National 4-H Council