Tjoelker to lead Texas A&M AgriLife development, donor activities
Media contact: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, [email protected]
COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M Foundation has named Allyson Tjoelker assistant vice president of development for Texas A&M AgriLife, effective June 1.
Tjoelker will lead all development and donor activities for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as well as Texas A&M University System state agricultural agencies — the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas A&M AgriLife Research.
She will continue to identify and support development initiatives for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Texas A&M AgriLife in support of the university’s Lead by Example campaign, a $4 billion fundraising effort to support students, faculty, programs and capital construction at Texas A&M.
Tjoelker replaces Mark Klemm, who will continue working with the Texas A&M Foundation as assistant vice president for special projects.
“Allyson’s background managing, coordinating and directing the activities of the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo will serve Texas A&M AgriLife well as we engage new supporters across the state who share in our mission of advancing the education, research, extension and service programs of our college and agencies,” said Dr. Patrick Stover, vice chancellor and dean of Texas A&M AgriLife and director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research.
Tjoelker has served as director of development with the Texas A&M Foundation in College Station since 2017, overseeing donor activities for the departments of biological and agricultural engineering, biochemistry and biophysics, entomology and nutrition and food science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Fundraising goals were exceeded each year working with both major gift prospects and donors. The Texas A&M AgriLife portfolio includes more than 100 major gift prospects and donors.
Tjoelker has led efforts for gifts of more than $25,000 to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as well as recognition programs. Currently, development efforts are centering on Texas A&M AgriLife’s Advancing Texas initiative, a statewide roadshow raising awareness about teaching, research, extension and service programs in agriculture.
Previously, Tjoelker spent 10 years with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in leadership positions. She served four years as executive director of agricultural competitions and exhibits, managing and directing all aspects of agricultural operations, competitions, exhibits and auctions. She also served as managing director of livestock competitions.
A native of Raceland, Louisiana, Tjoelker graduated from Texas A&M with a master’s degree in agricultural economics and a bachelor’s degree in animal science.
