Advancement Board

This team of dedicated, generous alumni support the Advancement team in its strategic efforts to secure private support of students and the university. They are role models in philanthropic giving to Central Michigan University, and they actively work to inspire others to join them.

2023-24 Advancement Board highlights

  • Provided in-depth input on the University's strategic plan, with emphasis on long-term donor interests and opportunities.
  • Developed and approved a three-year strategic plan for the Advancement Board, in alignment with the University's new strategic plan. Year one action plans have been completed, including a scorecard to capture initiatives by the full board and its individual members.
  • Refreshed the board's administrative guidelines, including updating the committee structure, to align with the University and Advancement Board strategic plans and to be prepared for future fundraising goals.
  • Together with the Advancement team and university partners, helped raise a record-breaking $26 million for CMU and its students.
  • Provided counsel and support in planning a large comprehensive campaign, assuring availability of appropriate resources.
Nate Tallman is an Alumni Board member who holds Emeritus status and was the former president of the Board and he is wearing a blue suit with an Action "C" pin and a white button-down shirt.

Nate Tallman

Advancement Board Chair

Tallman, '07, '09, is chair of the Advancement Board. He is vice president of Metro Wire & Cable Corp. Tallman also is past president of CMU's Alumni Board.

 


William (Bill) Kanine wearing a black suit with a gray tie and he has short dark brown hair.

Bill Kanine

Advancement Board Vice Chair

Kanine, '82, is Vice Chair of the Advancement Board. He is the founder and managing partner of William R. Kanine P.C. — a certified public accounting firm incorporated in July 1996. He is chair of the CMU Marcy Weston Hall of Fame, a member of the university’s investment committee and a former member of CMU’s Board of Trustees, where he served for eight years — two years as chair.

Sarah Opperman wears a grey sweater and blue top while smiling for the camera.

Sarah R. Opperman

Past Advancement Board Chair

Opperman, '81, is past chair of the Advancement Board. She is a retired Dow Chemical Co. executive and served on CMU's Board of Trustees from 2009 to 2016; she chaired the board twice during that time.


Board Committee Members

  • Michael Bayoff
  • Gary Collins
  • Dan Crociata
  • Lee Dow
  • Jae Evans
  • Peter Ginopolis
  • Thomas Grobbel
  • Jan Hagland
  • Todd Harter
  • William Kanine
  • David Keilitz
  • Philip Kintzele
  • Ira Kreft
  • Nick Krzyzaniak
  • John Kulhavi
  • Richard McGuirk
  • Pam Murray
  • Sarah Opperman
  • Dina Richard
  • Michele Szczypka
  • Nathan Tallman
  • Justin Thomas
  • Michael Tierney
  • Anthony Voisin
  • Bryan Wieferich

Emeritus Committee Members

  • Al Cambridge, Jr.
  • James Fabiano, Sr.
  • JoAnn Hinds
  • Roger Kesseler
  • Michael Murray
  • Michael O’Donnell
  • Jay Phillion
  • Paul Richards
  • Sidney Smith
  • Jon Voigtman