JobfitMatters is pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher Sparks as Director of Advancement for Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill beginning March 1, 2016. Chris is currently serving as the Associate Head of School for Enrollment Management at Gould Academy in Maine. After earning a B.A. in History from the University of Southern Maine, where he played college basketball, Chris began a ten-year career of coaching Division I and III men’s basketball at several schools, including U Penn and Brown. In 2008, the head of his high school alma mater, Wibraham and Monson Academy in Massachusetts, recruited him to coach there, and within a short time he was promoted to Director of Admissions.
Head of School Dr. Peter (Chip) Denton shared, “The competitiveness of playing and coaching basketball and the challenge of recruiting and retaining students have prepared Chris well for the challenges of raising money and stewarding the important relationships that are at the heart of development work. His natural gifts combine with the grace of the Holy Spirit in his life to make him a humble leader who helps his team succeed for the greater good. What a blessing to have someone in this role who is fully committed to Trinity’s core values.”
Laura Coverstone and Ed Poff of JobfitMatters assisted Chip in this important search. “Laura and Ed were a strong team for Trinity School in our search for Advancement Director. They made connections we would not have, formed relationships with candidates, vetted them well, and provided wise counsel throughout. The SIMA® instrument proved very helpful in discerning candidates’ fit. They persevered with us through a long search that ended in the selection of a candidate I am very excited about.”
Chris and his wife Leah have four children: Keenan (5th grade), Cuyler (2nd grade), Ruby (kindergarten), and C.J. (age two). They are excited to join the Trinity community and become Trinity parents as well as part of the Trinity staff.