Ken Gentner’s expertise in nonprofit organizations crosses a spectrum from deep involvement in congregational planning, finance and fund-raising to nonprofit start-up, governance, development and search. His experience is international, with hands-on work starting recognized charities in both the United States and Canada. He has worked on local and national donor campaigns, capital funding, donor recognition programs and endowment development.
At Ruotolo Associates, Ken has led many financial campaign planning studies, executive searches, as well as guided clients to improve the efficiency of their operations and update their technology. He has assisted with programs for La Salle Academy, Providence, RI; The Wartburg Home, Mt. Vernon, NY; NLN Foundation for Nursing Education, New York, NY; St. John the Evangelist Parish, Lambertville, NJ; St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Sugar Grove, IL; Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, Syracuse, NY; Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice, Marlton, NJ; Community Blood Services, Oradell, NJ; Monmouth Medical Center Foundation, Long Branch, NJ; New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Ken also worked with The Redemptorists Office for Mission Advancement in Baltimore on a complete technology and efficiency review of their direct mail program.
Ken joined Ruotolo Associates following a 31-year career at IBM Corporation. While there, in addition to work in mergers and acquisitions, marketing and sales, Ken was the IBM Corporate Agent for Rutgers University and helped run division-level United Way annual programs. His work on behalf of Rutgers consistently placed IBM among the university’s top corporate donor pools.
One of Ken’s proudest achievements is as co-founder of On Eagle’s Wings, an ecumenical ministry of the Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican/Episcopal faiths, serving people in remote communities of Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories of Canada. While serving seven years as President of the Board of Trustees, Ken and his team incorporated both US and Canadian corporate entities, purchased and paid for two aircraft and an office condominium, all while recruiting a top-notch ministry staff, volunteer airline pilots and providing teaching, ministry and counseling to more than 1500 children and families each year.
Ken has a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Upsala College (summa cum laude) and an M.B.A. from Rutgers University (with honors). While at IBM, Ken also gained a Master’s Certificate in project management from George Washington University and was jointly certified in project management by The Project Management Institute and IBM.
Ken lives with his wife, Claudia, in North Haledon, New Jersey.