Don Birkelbach

About Don Birkelbach

After about 16 years with the Texas A&M Foundation, I retired on June 30, 2017. I will continue to support the College of Science, Texas A&M University and Foundation in any way I can. I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to represent this great university and all of the fantastic Aggies I have met over the years. I know our friendships will continue and I look forward to seeing all of you at future Aggie events.For 15+ years, I focused on developing relationships with former students, companies who hire Aggies and other friends of Texas A&M. My goal was to help people and companies make an investment in Texas A&M that will benefit our students, faculty, and help build improved programs at Texas A&M while also benefiting our donors. Previously, I was employed by Dow Chemical Company, the largest US chemical company, for 27 years. I worked primarily in process research and manufacturing. I am the author or coauthor of 12 US patents and discovered a new polymer product that was called \"Linear Low Density Polyethylene\" which received the IR-100 Award in 1978. I also served as the Recruiting and Hiring Manager for the company for 5 years. I continued to lead the recruiting efforts at Texas A&M until my retirement in 2001. I served on the advisory councils for the College of Science and for the Career Center at Texas A&M.Specialties: In addition to extensive knowledge of corporate R&D and manufacturing, I have also had significant management, recruiting and hiring experience. I served on the board of several College Placement associations and served on the Texas A&M Career Center Advisory Council. I have become knowledgeable in the various ways individuals can make a gift to benefit a non-profit organization including Texas A&M and in helping individuals determine the best tax advantaged way of giving.

Experience

1. Assistant Vice President of Major Gifts

   Texas A&M Foundation

   Apr 2017 — Present · Bryan/College Station, TX, US

   I plan to retire on June 30, 2017

Education

• University of Houston-Clear Lake

  MBA, Personnel Management

  1976 — 1979

• Texas A&M University

  BS Chemistry, Chemistry

  1966 — 1970

• Texas A&M University

  Master of Science (MS), Chemistry

  1970 — 1971

Skills

• Public Speaking
• Community Outreach
• Program Management
• Recruiting
• Management
• Staff Development
• Project Management
• Leadership
• Grant Writing
• Volunteer Management
• Fundraising
• Leadership Development
• Strategic Planning
• Nonprofits
• Event Planning
• Higher Education
• Research
• Annual Giving