Development Staff

Tom Rellinger

Tom coordinates the college’s entire development program and spends a great deal of his time visiting with current and prospective financial partners who share an interest in assisting the college meet its mission of educating students to be salt and light in their chosen careers.

After completing an associate degree at Rochester College in 1980, Tom continued his studies at Oklahoma Christian University. With a double major in computer science and chemistry, he began a 15-year career as both a systems engineer and a marketing manager. He spent the next 15 years of his career as minister of the Petoskey Church of Christ, during which time he served on the board of Rochester College and completed a master’s degree in New Testament Preaching. Tom returned to Rochester College as an employee in August 2011, desiring to combine his passion for marketing and fund raising with Christian mission.

Tom can be contacted at 248.218.2014 or trellinger@rc.edu.

Dennis Veara

Dennis is the contact person for those who wish to remember Rochester College through their estate plans. Dennis continually cultivates and strengthens relationships that will result in building endowment through estate gifts from friends of Rochester College. Dennis works directly with the administrators, faculty, and staff to connect donors to Rochester College.

Dennis completed his undergraduate studies in 1977. He received his Juris Doctor from the Thomas Cooley Law School in 1987. After graduation from law school, Dennis practiced law concurrently with an aviation insurance company and as a judge advocate with the Michigan Air National Guard. From 1998 to 2006, Lt Col Veara served full-time in the Michigan Air National Guard as staff judge advocate for the 127th Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. He was responsible for overseeing all legal services of the nation’s largest Air National Guard wing, including estate planning legal assistance to active and retired soldiers, sailors, and airmen in all branches of the military. Lt Col Veara retired from the Air Force in February 2006 and was appointed director of estate planning at Rochester College the same month.

Dennis can be contacted at 248.218.2106 or dveara@rc.edu.

Larry Stewart

Larry serves as director of alumni relations and assists the development office with a variety of projects. Additionally, he writes features for the North Star and prepares the college eNews. Known to a large percentage of the college’s alumni as a result of over 40 years of employment with the college, he serves as the primary contact person for former students.

After completing his associate degree from Rochester College in 1970, Larry earned a bachelor’s degree from Harding University in 1972. He began employment with Rochester College the same month. Over the years, he has served the college in a variety of roles including director of admissions, director of alumni relations, and bookstore manager. While fulfilling those primary responsibilities, he has also produced countless college publications, sponsored the yearbook, taught journalism and Bible classes, and accompanied the A Cappella Chorus on nearly 50 tours.

Larry can be contacted at 248.218.2023 or lstewart@rc.edu.

Cathy (Ireland) Ries

Cathy works closely with such development events as the annual Partnership Dinner, the Fletcher/Shinsky Golf Classic, and the President’s Circle of Honor Dinner. Her responsibilities include maintenance of the development database and project support services for the entire development staff.

Cathy graduated from Rochester College with an associate degree in 1973. She has been a part of the college community since that time, either working at the college or volunteering with the alumni association. She served many years as an administrative assistant for the president of the college.

Cathy can be contacted at 248.218.2021 or cries@rc.edu.

Bert Bryan

Bert is a familiar face to many people at RC, he began employment at Rochester College in the summer of 2012. In his role of development and alumni relations officer, he focuses on helping people understand why they should support RC financially. Bert has a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Lipscomb University and a master’s degree in microbiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Additionally, Bert completed his master’s of religious education degree in missional leadership at RC this spring. Following several years of working in the field of cancer research, Bert shifted his career focus and found himself at Electronic Data Systems. At EDS, he was employed as a computer programmer and later became an account manager, specifically working with GM assembly plants.

Bert can be contacted at 248.218.2170 or abryan1@rc.edu.

Jennifer Fulton

As a Development &Alumni Relations Officer, Jennifer plans, organizes and participates in the fundraising process through cultivation of friends and donors and solicitation of gifts. Jennifer also seeks to engage alumni in supporting the College’s mission.

Jennifer graduated from Rochester College in 2007. Prior to her return to RC, she worked as the Director of Human Resources for Walmart and the Membership Coordinator for the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce. Jennifer returned to Rochester College in April 2011 as an Admissions Recruiter. She joined the Development team in September 2012. Returning to her alma mater has been an exciting change and she is eager to share her first-hand experience and knowledge about Rochester College with alumni, friends and the greater Rochester area.

Jennifer can be contacted at 248.218.2152 office , 248-935-9290 cell, or jfulton@rc.edu.