A history of successful searches for leadership in Higher Education

H. James Towey, president of Ave Maria University announced today that Dr. Louis Traina has been appointed as the new Vice President of Institutional Advancement.

“He has experience in leading comprehensive campaigns and will be a key architect as Ave Maria University shapes our next advancement campaign. He is highly regarded in the Naples community and because he is a long-time resident of Southwest Florida, he will be able to hit the ground running,” Towey said.  Dr. Traina is stepping down at Hodges University from his posts as Vice President, Department of University Advancement, and Executive Director, Hodges University Foundation, where he has served since 1998 and where he established a development office and led the effort that raised tens of millions of dollars.

“I am looking forward to building on the great mission and vision that is evident in Ave Maria University. This was a tough decision from the beginning but my family gave me strong support in taking this step. Looking back, I am grateful for the support of President McMahan and the confidence that he had in me,” commented Traina. He indicated that he is very impressed by the challenge of the vision and mission of AMU.

Traina will begin his tenure at AMU next month on October 7, 2011 the same day as the Inauguration of President H. James Towey as the second president of Ave Maria University. Traina is married and has two children.