Tech taps Dearmon as development officer

Louisiana Tech University has made another fundraising-focused move in its administration by announcing the hiring of Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce President Will Dearmon as the university’s first chief development officer, or CDO.

Starting in this new role on Jan. 1, 2025, Dearmon will join the leadership team of Tech’s relatively new Innovation and Advancement Division and will be tasked with cultivating a culture of philanthropy within the Tech community, building relationships with donors, alumni, corporate partners and stakeholders, according to a press release.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to step into this role, joining the team that Dr. Davy Norris is building within the Innovation and Advancement division, and ultimately the team President (Jim) Henderson is building,” Dearmon said Tuesday after the announcement. “Folks committed to Tech, higher education as a whole and to this region.”

It’s the latest in a series of structural moves Henderson has made in his first year as Tech’s 15th president, including bringing University Advancement and Innovation Enterprise together in one division under Norris in July, as well as making Norris CEO of Tech’s nonprofit fundraising foundation.

Henderson also tapped Heath Tims in a dual administrative role in August focused on alumni engagement and outreach.

Now Dearmon, a 2013 Tech graduate recognized in 2023 as Young Alumnus of the Year, will take on leading strategic and comprehensive fundraising initiatives to ensure the growth and sustainability of the Louisiana Tech Foundation, as well as helping to integrate innovation, philanthropy and partnerships to further the university’s mission.

“I kind of view it as being a chief storyteller,” Dearmon said. “ Working alongside the alumni, donors, benefactors, and corporate partners, to tie them as individuals and strategic partners back to their alma mater, to their trusted workforce partner, and plug them into investment opportunities, gift opportunities, partnership opportunities, to create even more prosperity and promise for students, future students, and every facet of the Louisiana Tech community.”

An active member of Tech’s Alumni Association board since 2015, Dearmon became the Chamber’s President and CEO in March of 2022.

He’s overseen record membership growth and retention and helped launched a Workforce Development Grant Initiative, two executive speaker series and developed a three-year strategic impact plan, according to a release from the Chamber.

The Chamber’s Executive Board has appointed former chairwoman Elizabeth Turnley as interim president, effective Dec. 15. Details on a president search will be announced in the coming weeks.

“Will’s strategic leadership has been transformative for the Chamber”, said Thomas Graham, chairman of the RLCC Board of Directors. “ His collaborative approach, coupled with a clear vision for the future, has yielded impressive results: a successful rebrand, the launch of several key initiatives, and strengthened community partnerships. The foundation he has built will ensure continued success for the Chamber.”