News

PMA’s Mike Blackwelder Joins Smart Start as Chief Administrative Officer

PMA Managing Director Mike Blackwelder will join Smart Start of Mecklenburg County in a newly created Chief Administrative Officer role, beginning full-time on August 3rd, 2020.

"It's hard to summarize the fantastic work Mike has done to elevate our firm over the last three years, as well as all he's done to support the work of many nonprofit organizations across North Carolina," noted PMA President Patton McDowell. "He will be a great asset to Smart Start, and all of his PMA colleagues are glad to know he'll continue to bring his leadership and expertise to benefit children and families in this community."

"Rarely does an organization inherit a consultant who gives every ounce of their energy to an organization in such a way that the line between consultant and employee/leader gets blurred" said Smart Start's CEO Jake House.  "Mike did just that over the past six months helping to steer this organization through major leadership challenges and a pandemic. He did it with grace and class, ensuring that SSMC employees were placed at the forefront of everything we did."

Mike began working with PMA in 2018, and has worked closely with dozens of organizations in every nonprofit sector.  "He not only managed projects, but helped strengthen the firm's tools and processes to better support our strategic planning, fundraising and search advisory services," noted McDowell.  As Managing Director, he was also responsible for firm-wide project and prospect management, internal and external communications, and client outreach.

"My three years with PMA have been incredibly rewarding. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with and learning from our outstanding nonprofit partners who do so much great work in their communities.  I have had the amazing opportunity to work with some of the most talented nonprofit professionals and board members in Charlotte and throughout North Carolina. Working with PMA has been such a great experience, and I will miss being a part of such a talented team.  I remain passionate about the nonprofit sector and its integral role in improving our community," said Blackwelder. "I am excited to use my experience from PMA to make a lasting impact at Smart Start and continue my work within Charlotte's philanthropic sector."

The PMA team would like to thank Mike for his dedication to the firm, its nonprofit clients and the philanthropic community in general.