Foundation Head John Cranor to Step Down

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- by New College News

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Fresh from leading the New College Foundation through its most profitable year ever, foundation president John Cranor has announced it’s time to step aside. His decision, which was announced at the end of a strategic planning session involving New College of Florida President Mike Michalson, Foundation Board Chair Vicki Raeburn and Foundation trustees and staff, takes effect June 30, 2008. The New College Foundation is the not-for-profit fund raising branch of New College of Florida.

“I’ve had five very enjoyable years as head of the New College Foundation,” Cranor told the crowd. “But as I looked forward over the next 5-10 years, I realized that I was not able to commit the time and energy that the College deserves as it prepares to embark on the most ambitious capital campaign in its history. President Michalson and I agreed that it was better for me to step aside rather than commit to a campaign that I might not be able to see through to completion. New College will always be special to me.”

A member of New College’s charter class in 1964, Cranor has served as president of the New College Foundation since August 2003 and has been a member of the Foundation Board of Trustees since 1985. He also served on the New College of Florida Board of Trustees, as an appointee of former Governor Jeb Bush, from 2001-2007. During his tenure, the Foundation has seen a growth in its endowment from $32 million to $42 million and has generated $30 million of support for New College and its Foundation. This past year, the Foundation reported a record total income of $9.0 million, of which nearly half came from fund raising efforts.

“John is a tremendously gifted strategic thinker, and the work he has done aligning Foundation activities with New College’s strategic vision will prove enormously valuable in the years ahead,” said President Mike Michalson following Cranor’s announcement. “Frankly, from the days of his initial enrollment as a student at New College, no one has been more constructively associated with the College’s history than John. His commitment to the College is an inspiration, and we are extremely grateful for his leadership of our Foundation during this transitional period.”

Prior to his return to New College full time in 2003, Cranor enjoyed a successful career in the corporate world. He is the former President and CEO of Wilson Sporting Goods, KFC/Worldwide, Pepsi Cola Fountain Beverage, Pepsi Cola East, and Long John Silver’s Restaurants. He also is currently chair elect of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is Chairman of the Board of Directors for AFC Enterprises Inc., franchisor and operator of Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits.

For more information, contact the New College of Florida Office of Public Affairs at (941) 487-4150 or email [email protected].