David became executive director of The George Gund Foundation in 2003. Prior to joining the Foundation, he served as president of University Circle Incorporated, executive director of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and executive director of the Cleveland Bicentennial Commission. Abbott was also the Cuyahoga County administrator and, early in his career, a reporter for The Plain Dealer.

He holds a B.A. in political science from Denison University, a M.S. in journalism from Columbia University, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Brian Frederick - Vice Chair

Brian Frederick is president and chief executive officer of the Community Foundation of Lorain County.

Christine Mayer - Vice Chair

Christine Mayer is chief operating officer of the GAR Foundation in Akron.
 
Randell McShepard - Vice Chair

Randell McShepard is vice president of public affairs for RPM Inc. of Medina. He is the former chairman of the City of Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Workforce Investment Board.

Brad Whitehead - President Brad Whitehead oversees the Fund’s grantmaking, research and civic engagement efforts. He was named the Fund’s first president in the fall of 2006. He served the Fund while also working for The Cleveland Foundation, the largest contributor to the Fund. In July 2007, he assumed full-time responsibilities with the Fund. Brad joined the Foundation in 2002 and was Program Director for Economic Development. Before joining the Foundation, Brad was a Director at the international management consulting firm of McKinsey and Company. At McKinsey, Brad’s client work spanned a broad range of corporate strategy, operations, and organizational issues, but his major area of focus was in growth and new business building. Brad was one of the Firm leaders of the Business Building Practice and prior to that he was a founder of the Firm’s Environment Practice.

Robert Jaquay - Vice President

Robert Jaquay is associate director of the George Gund Foundation in Cleveland.

Fund Staff

Chris Thompson - Director of Marketing, Communications and Civic Outreach Chris Thompson is responsible for public relations, media relations and other elements of the Fund's communications. He also manages the Advance Northeast Ohio web site. Chris has lived in Northeast Ohio since 1991 and previously worked for Crain's Cleveland Business and Edward Howard, an Ohio-based public relations firm. Chris can be reached at 216-925-4902 or cthompsonATfuturefundneo.org

Member Staff

The Fund relies heavily on the contributions of the professional staff of its members and its supporters. Among the staff of the Fund's members that contribute significantly to the operations of the Fund are: