CapDev Announces New Team Member

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Capital Development Services is excited to announce a new addition to our Senior Counsel team. Valerie Melton, MPA has joined the CapDev team, effective February 2022.

Valerie brings extensive experience in development, most recently with VRM Consulting Services providing professional services in the areas of athletic and academic fundraising, marketing, public relations and event management. She has served in senior advancement positions with Huston-Tillotson University in Austin TX, Delaware State University in Dover DE, and South Carolina State University in Columbia SC. She is an alumna of North Carolina A&T State University and holds an MPA from Delaware State University.

“From our first encounter with Valerie, we knew that she embodied deep learned skills and experience in our field of philanthropy as well as sharing the high level of integrity and trust that comprises our company’s values and success,” said Allan Burrows, CapDev CEO. “Valarie’s experience with higher education, especially with HBCU schools, and her work with social and human services makes her a true asset to our expanding team and clients.”

CapDev President, Ann Bennett-Phillips is excited to welcome Valerie to the CapDev team. “Not only does Valerie exude her passion for her work through her warm and engaging character, but she also has excellent experience from her many years in the sector. She is perfectly positioned to be an excellent senior counsel and I’m certain our clients will enjoy working her to advance their fundraising efforts and better meet their missions. She is comfortable and confident with staff and board or campaign leaders alike and makes a nice addition to our team as well.”

Valerie will be based out of Huntersville NC and will partner with clients across CapDev’s service region throughout the Southeast.

More Information About Valerie:

Valerie Melton is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of service in the public and private sector, mainly in higher education. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a passion for working with constituent groups at historically black colleges and universities to ensure that students receive a quality education and has devoted her career to building bridges and resources that preserve the rich legacy of the institutions she has served.

A native of Mt. Holly, NC and 1984 graduate of East Gaston High School, she holds a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina A&T State University, a master’s degree in public administration from Delaware State University, and is currently pursuing her doctorate degree in higher education leadership. She is a member the Higher Education Leadership Institute, an organization dedicated to training and developing administrators to work at HBCUs.

After graduating from North Carolina A&T in 1988, Valerie joined Duke Power Company (now Duke Energy) in the Customer Group. During her six years of service, Valerie held several roles within the company, which expanded her opportunities to join First Union National Bank (now Wells Fargo). In 1992, during the merger of Dominion Bank and First Union, Valerie was recruited by First Union to join the management team in Roanoke Virginia. After five years, she would finish her service in Charlotte, NC at First Union Customer Service Center to focus on personal goals that led her to Athens, Greece and Rome, Italy.

In 1997, she founded Pathfinder Consulting Services, now VRM Consulting and has extended professional fundraising, marketing and event planning services to the Philander Smith College; Canaan Baptist Church of Delaware; Delaware State University; Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference(MEAC); ESPN Regional Television; The Citadel University; South Carolina State University; Winston Salem State University; Tanners Bistro; Boys and Girls Club of Our Towns; Charlotte Chamber of Commerce; The Bobby Phills Scholarship Fund; United Negro College Fund; Mecklenburg County Zoning Department; Urban League of Central Carolinas; The McCorey YMCA; Community Pride Magazine; The Pastor’s Consortium of NC, and Friends of Former Chief Justice Henry Frye.

Valerie has been committed to her community and has served as executive director for several nonprofits as well as a board member for the United Way of Central Carolinas, the Boys and Girls Club of Our Towns, and the Bobby Phills Scholarship Fund. She also completed the Minority Business Development Institute sponsored by the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Cabarrus County.

Valerie is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, CASE, American Marketing Association, Delaware Association Women Administrators, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and holds previous memberships with Delaware Partnership for Public Education, National Association of Collegiate Athletic Directors, Minority Opportunities Athletic Association, National Association of Athletic Development Directors, National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators.

In 2014, she joined the Delaware State University leadership team as Special Assistant to President for University Advancement, where she oversaw fundraising, alumni relations, events and ceremonies, government relations and marketing and communications.

After working as a consultant for South Carolina State University in 2006 she served as vice president for institutional advancement, where she oversaw fundraising, alumni relations, marketing and communications, events and ceremonies, WSSB radio station, and Title III funds. In this role she also served as executive director of both of the university foundations, ex-officio board member for the real estate foundation and advisor to the board of visitors. 

Valerie enjoys the outdoors, traveling, playing golf, softball and spending time with family, friends and her two granddaughters: Riley and Callie.

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