Mission Foundation Announces New President

Here’s the press release from Mission Foundation:

Asheville, N.C. (December 17, 2013) – James William “Bill” Kinard, Jr., FAHP, CFRE, born in Clinton, S.C. where he began a career in banking before becoming a leader in the nonprofit and philanthropic worlds, has been selected as the new President of Mission Foundation effective December 30, 2013. Kinard, who will relocate to Asheville from Greenville, S.C., has more than 20 years of experience in the strategic direction and management of major philanthropic programs.

Kinard will succeed current President Bruce D. Thorsen who is retiring in March 2014. Under Thorsen’ s leadership Mission Foundation championed numerous campaigns, which raised more than $150 million that made possible the development of clinical centers of excellence like the Mission Children’s Hospital, the Heart Center at Mission Hospital and the SECU Cancer Center. Thorsen believes Kinard’s experience, skill and personal leadership style will successfully continue the Foundation’s great work as well as identify and explore new ways in which the Foundation can help Mission Health provide essential and innovative care to our western North Carolina community. “Bill has significant insight into the importance of engaging and motivating physicians, employees, patients and community to support our core mission to provide our region with the absolute best and most advanced medical care possible – right here at home, close to family and friends,” said Thorsen. “Bill’s collaborative leadership style coupled with his grassroots sensibilities make him an exceptional addition to the Foundation team as well as Mission Health.”

A graduate of Presbyterian College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a preliminary medical studies emphasis, Kinard began his professional career working for a family-owned bank. In 1994, he was asked to assist his alma mater with raising funds for its athletic program. By 1998, Kinard embraced his love for fundraising and development and accepted a position with Washington and Lee University as the director of the Annual Fund. In support of his wife, Kristina, who was pursuing her Masters of Science in Nursing degree, the couple returned to South Carolina and he accepted a position with St. Joseph’s Catholic School as director of development. Kinard’s impressive work at St. Joseph’s Catholic School led him to the opportunity to join St. Francis Health System (now owned by Bon Secours Health System) as the director of development. In 2003, Kinard was recruited by Greenville Hospital System to serve as their director, philanthropy and partnership of the Children’s Hospital. Since assuming this position, Kinard has successfully overseen the strategic direction of the Children’s Hospital philanthropic efforts, which include Major Giving and the Children’s Miracle Network. He was responsible for the overall organization of their current $80 million campaign, raised more than $29 million in current gifts and $3.5 million in planned gifts. He also developed numerous programs to engage physician and community champions in the philanthropic process as well as created a system of metrics and return on investment measuring the success of all lead gift officers.

“Without question, the work and contributions of the Mission Foundation have contributed to our ability to serve our community with the most beneficial programs and services that have also earned widespread national recognition, including two successive years as one of the Top 15 Health Systems nationally,” said Ronald A. Paulus, MD, president and CEO of Mission Health. “Bill’s passion for his profession, proven success and collaborative spirit made it very clear to us that he would be the right leader to extend the well-respected legacy and lead the Mission Foundation to new levels of success in support of our BIG(GER) Aim: to get each patient to their desired outcome, first without harm, also without waste and with an exceptional experience for the patient and family.”

Kinard continues to serve in various leadership roles within the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy including Southeast Regional Cabinet Chairman of Education, Chairman of Certification, Chairman of State Liaisons, Education Track Dean in both regional and international conferences, and Southeast Regional Education Conference Chairman. He also served as special committee appointments including, Editorial Committee for the AHP Journal, and on a task force on the Future of Healthcare Philanthropy. He has been asked to present at a number of education conferences and always counts this opportunity to share and learn as the highest privilege.

“For me, philanthropy is far more than just asking someone to make a donation,” explains Kinard. “Philanthropy is about understanding the goals and needs of your community and organization and then identifying and connecting partners, both internal and external, who share similar passions. Through these relationships we can, together, help build programs, improve services and obtain the best technology that will greatly benefit our overall community and region.”

Kinard, his wife Kristina and their son, Will, look forward to their relocation to Asheville. Kinard serves as a leader of the Pastoral Council at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and enjoys consulting with area nonprofits to help them establish sound resource development programs. His interests include general aviation, woodworking, urban farming, road cycling, mountain biking and hiking.

About Mission Foundation
Mission Foundation, Inc. connects the generosity of a caring community with opportunities to improve lives through better healthcare. The Foundation is a 501(c) (3) “public charity” governed by a volunteer board of 28 trustees representing the local community. Since its founding in 1985, Mission Hospital’s centennial year, the Foundation has solicited and received more than $150 million in gifts and grants from all parts of Western North Carolina, the state and the Southeast as well as nationally. During its history the Foundation has conducted successful major capital campaigns that have helped create several “Centers of Excellence” at Mission Hospital in Asheville. The Foundation is the only Asheville-based non-profit to have attained nationwide accreditation by Charity Wise Alliance of the U.S. Better Business Bureau, meeting all 20 national standards. More information is available atmissionfoundation.org.

About Mission Health
Mission Health, based in Asheville, N.C., is the state’s sixth-largest health system and the region’s only not-for-profit, independent community hospital system governed and managed exclusively in western North Carolina. Mission Health was recognized as one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems in 2012 and 2013 by Thomson Reuters and Truven Health Analytics, respectively. Mission Health is one of only two medium-sized health systems to receive this recognition in 2012 and 2013, and the only health system in North Carolina to achieve that distinction.

Mission Health, which traces its roots in the region back to 1885, operates five hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. Its medical staff consists of more than 1,000 physicians and is certified in more than 50 medical specialties and sub-specialties. Mission Health has seven Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Heart, Mission Children’s Hospital, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Trauma and Women’s Health. Mission Hospital, located in Asheville, is the system’s flagship hospital and is licensed for 730 beds. It is the regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care. It also includes Mission Children’s Hospital – the region’s only children’s hospital. Other Mission Health member hospitals include Angel Medical Center in Franklin, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, McDowell Hospital in Marion and Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard. With approximately 9,500 employees and 700 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission-health.org