Dennis H. Fuhrhop
Project Director
Dennis Fuhrhop brings NCDS clients diverse fundraising and project management skills honed by broad general management experience in industrial, financial and business acquisitions. He has been key in successfully planning and starting up multi-million dollar businesses that have added jobs and economic growth to local communities.
Dennis has particular expertise with complex funding projects involving multiple constituencies, public partners, and broad geographic scope. Presently, Dennis has raised $2.4 million at the Kick Off point for an economic development, regional campaign in the Joplin, Missouri area with a $3.5 million goal. His most recent projects have been successful economic development campaigns in Richmond, VA and Jackson, MS. Other assignments include an over-goal $10 million regional library project in Tennessee. He also has solid experience in campaigns to fund successor programs, recently bringing in over goal a $3.8 million campaign for the Tacoma, WA. Economic Development Board, the organization’s fifth campaign.
Previous work also includes a community development assessment for Bay Area LISC in San Francisco, CA, and directing a regional economic development campaign for the Greater Dallas Chamber over its $7.5 million goal. Prior to the Dallas effort, Dennis conducted over $1 million in broad-based investor solicitations for the Raleigh, NC Chamber of Commerce as part of an $8.5 million economic development funding effort.
Before joining NCDS, Dennis successfully advanced through the corporate ranks to senior management of Mobil Oil Corporation. He then took his experiences and helped a private food company expand its business into the branded market that added $300 million in sales. Prior to that, he was involved with business acquisition evaluations and financial planning.
During his corporate career, Dennis was involved with various fundraising drives within the communities where he resided. He also was a member of the Industrial League, which promoted business growth within Central Illinois and is presently a member of the Industrial Group, which promotes economic growth, and supports existing business needs in his hometown.
After graduating from Concordia College, Dennis completed advanced studies in Industrial Management at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. He then received a direct commission to serve as an officer in the Adjutant General’s Corp. of the United States Army where he was a testing officer for the 5th Army. Dennis and Nancy make their home in Centralia, IL. They enjoy traveling and spending time with their distant families. Besides working on various enjoyable projects around the house, Dennis finds a rare moment now and then to visit the golf course.