Fall 2001

Volume 4 Number 1
A publication of Macon State College

Reaching a New Level

Beth T. Byers, Longtime Successful Fundraiser for United Way of Central Georgia, Brings Her Skills and Knowledge to Macon State's Development Office

By Sheron Smith

Beth Byers, left, with MSC President David A. Bell Photo by Sheron Smith

When Beth T. Byers went to work for the local United Way in 1982, the agency’s scope was limited to Bibb County and the annual fundraising campaign generated about $1 million each year.

By the time she left a couple of months ago,
United Way of Central Georgia’s reach had extended to 14 counties and the annual campaign was raising $5 million a year for charitable organizations.

As United Way’s senior vice president for resource development and marketing, Byers was a key member of the team that engineered that growth. Today she is widely acknowledged as one of Central Georgia’s best fundraisers.

Now, as Macon State’s new associate director of development, Byers is expected to help drive a similar expansion of the college’s private resources. Among other responsibilities, Byers will manage Macon State’s Annual Campaign and expand the alumni association.

“As successful as the MSC Foundation has been over the past few years, Beth is going to help us reach the next level,” said Sue B. Chipman, Macon State’s director of development and alumni affairs. “She has been instrumental in raising millions of dollars to support local organizations, and her knowledge, enthusiasm and professionalism will be invaluable to the MSC Foundation.”

Willing to Give

An Atlanta native, Byers moved to Macon 21 years ago with her husband, Bill, whose management job with a ceramic tile distribution company brought him to the midstate. Beth Byers went to work for Charter Medical Corp. as administrative assistant to one of the company’s vice presidents. Charter later “loaned” Byers to United Way through a special program where employees with leadership potential were deployed to help the agency with its annual fundraising campaign. That move led to Byers accepting a permanent position as United
Way’s assistant director in 1982.

“Fundraising isn’t something you go to school to learn, but I found it was something I really enjoyed, particularly because I believed in United Way’s mission to better the community,” Byers said. “They say that public speaking and asking for money are the two things people fear the most, but I’ve found that most people are more than willing to give to worthy causes when asked, especially when they know the money stays local.”

Byers’ skills began paying off early for United Way of Central Georgia and continued to do so over the course of her two-decade tenure, said Ron Watson, the agency’s current president and CEO.

“Beth possesses strong leadership skills in management of volunteers and staff,” Watson said. “She is highly motivated and goal-oriented and has a strong work ethic. Macon State can expect the same. I have no doubt she will be very successful at the college.”

At United Way, the annual campaign led by Byers grew 29 percent between 1995 and 1999, from $3.8 million to $4.9 million. The amount of money raised in the “Leadership Giving” portion of the campaign increased by 85 percent over that same period. Byers also organized the Alexis de Tocqueville Society, a national United Way leadership giving program that recognizes individuals who contribute $10,000 or more annually. She also developed the Legacy Society Charter Membership Drive to boost the number of planned gifts to United Way.

Great Opportunity

While Byers loved her work at United Way, the new opportunities represented by Macon State intrigued her. “After David Bell (Macon State’s president) and Sue Chipman told me what was going on at the college, it just seemed too exciting to turn down,” Byers said. “With the new bachelor’s degree programs and the plans to expand services in Houston County, Macon State is going to have a tremendous impact on developing a high-quality workforce in this area. That’s definitely something I can sell.”

She is also excited by the quality of the Macon State College Foundation’s 23-member board of trustees, which includes some of the region’s most influential people in business and government. “That is a ‘make it happen’ board, without a doubt,” Byers said.

Byers devotes most of her free time to her family, including daughters Vanessa, 17, Alex, 15, and Catherine, 13, all Monroe County public school students. Byers said she had always thought if she ever made a career move, it would come after her youngest daughter graduated from high school.

“But you can’t plan opportunity, and that’s what it came down to,” she said. “Macon State is a great opportunity.”