About Us
Company:
Leading Edge Fundraising helps schools, youth groups and sports leagues raise much needed funds for operations, travel, equipment and more. Now in nine states ranging from Florida to California we raised over $2M for our clients in 2011. We partner with the highest quality vendors providing the best products on the market. We offer a proven system for raising our clients the maximum amount of money with the least effort on their part. Our focus is always on the client, providing the most effective and efficient fundraising programs available.Giving Back:
In addition to raising nearly a million dollars for schools and youth groups, Leading Edge Fundraising gives 10% of our annual operating profits to charities in the local communities where the money was earned. We believe supporting our children and our communities is an investment in all of our futures.
Mission:
We are dedicated to raising millions for schools and youth groups in our communities. Respecting this commitment, we are professional diligent business partners who deliver high quality products with a service minded attitude.Vision:
Fill needs now. Give young people great experiences this year!Values:
- Customer Focused
- Give back to charity (10% of annual net profits)
- First who . . . get the best people
- Culture of Discipline
- Balancing Structure & Freedom
- Minimal Bureaucracy
- Ethics in Entrepreneurship
- Honesty & Integrity
Executive Team:
Scott Bueling
Chairman and CEO
Before co-founding Leading Edge Fundraising, Scott had much success in sales, recruiting and business management over 25 years. During college at The University of Montana, Scott was a top sales person for Southwestern Publishing while recruiting, managing and helping build organizations with other college students. For the next 15 years after graduating, he earned numerous awards with Family Heritage Life Insurance Company and DeVry University in sales, recruiting, managing and training as a Sales Manager, Regional Manager and Director of Growth. Scott moved on to establish a business in fundraising with Varsity Gold who at the time was the number one company in high school fundraising. As a top franchise owner with VG, he was able to turn that into the start of what is now Leading Edge Fundraising. Scott understands a great company recruits the best people. Whenever, wherever . . . a strong team of partners. And he knows there is no better business than helping schools, youth and other groups with much needed funding.
Chairman and CEO
Before co-founding Leading Edge Fundraising, Scott had much success in sales, recruiting and business management over 25 years. During college at The University of Montana, Scott was a top sales person for Southwestern Publishing while recruiting, managing and helping build organizations with other college students. For the next 15 years after graduating, he earned numerous awards with Family Heritage Life Insurance Company and DeVry University in sales, recruiting, managing and training as a Sales Manager, Regional Manager and Director of Growth. Scott moved on to establish a business in fundraising with Varsity Gold who at the time was the number one company in high school fundraising. As a top franchise owner with VG, he was able to turn that into the start of what is now Leading Edge Fundraising. Scott understands a great company recruits the best people. Whenever, wherever . . . a strong team of partners. And he knows there is no better business than helping schools, youth and other groups with much needed funding.
Russ Harshberger
President & COO
Prior to co-founding Leading Edge Fundraising Russ came from a diverse background ranging from small business startup to executive level management. In the late ‘90’s Russ started-up operations for Stewart Title, a fortune 500 company, in the San Francisco Bay Area opening four branch offices and achieving a pace of $6M in annual revenue in just 18 months. Russ went on to turnaround a money losing operation for another fortune 500 company (Chicago Title), turning a $268k net loss to a $2.5M profit in 21 months.
Under Russ’ leadership operations from Southern to Northern California achieved market share gains of 47% per year on average over 11 years. After moving to Portland, Oregon in 2006 Russ built and opened two fitness clubs now run by a management team. “Over the years I have learned how important it is to have a career that you love and feel passionate about. The Product Fundraising industry provides our company and associates an amazing opportunity to help communities in which we live while earning a great living in the process”. –Russ Harshberger
President & COO
Prior to co-founding Leading Edge Fundraising Russ came from a diverse background ranging from small business startup to executive level management. In the late ‘90’s Russ started-up operations for Stewart Title, a fortune 500 company, in the San Francisco Bay Area opening four branch offices and achieving a pace of $6M in annual revenue in just 18 months. Russ went on to turnaround a money losing operation for another fortune 500 company (Chicago Title), turning a $268k net loss to a $2.5M profit in 21 months.
Under Russ’ leadership operations from Southern to Northern California achieved market share gains of 47% per year on average over 11 years. After moving to Portland, Oregon in 2006 Russ built and opened two fitness clubs now run by a management team. “Over the years I have learned how important it is to have a career that you love and feel passionate about. The Product Fundraising industry provides our company and associates an amazing opportunity to help communities in which we live while earning a great living in the process”. –Russ Harshberger
Dwight Reichter
Executive Vice President, Sales
Dwight brings over 20 years of successful direct selling to Leading Edge. Dwight set two annual sales records and was on the Wall of Greats at his previous company. Dwight is married with two children, both girls. Along with VP of sales for Leading Edge Fundraising, Dwight coaches his girls in softball and basketball. Dwight believes fundraising is the right business at the right time.
Executive Vice President, Sales
Dwight brings over 20 years of successful direct selling to Leading Edge. Dwight set two annual sales records and was on the Wall of Greats at his previous company. Dwight is married with two children, both girls. Along with VP of sales for Leading Edge Fundraising, Dwight coaches his girls in softball and basketball. Dwight believes fundraising is the right business at the right time.
Doug Maier
Region Manager
Doug has been in fundraising for 22 years. His first ten years were spent managing the office and packaging facility of a fundraising company that grew to $5,000,000.00 in retail annual sales. While helping another start up fundraising company, he started his career in fundraising sales in the elementary school market. Seven years ago, he started his own fundraising company where even in this down economy his sales continue to increase. He has joined the Leading edge team to help develop elementary school cookie dough sales and to make the school that we work with successful in meeting their financial goals. Doug and his wife Lori have been married for 17 years and have a wonderful daughter.
Region Manager
Doug has been in fundraising for 22 years. His first ten years were spent managing the office and packaging facility of a fundraising company that grew to $5,000,000.00 in retail annual sales. While helping another start up fundraising company, he started his career in fundraising sales in the elementary school market. Seven years ago, he started his own fundraising company where even in this down economy his sales continue to increase. He has joined the Leading edge team to help develop elementary school cookie dough sales and to make the school that we work with successful in meeting their financial goals. Doug and his wife Lori have been married for 17 years and have a wonderful daughter.
Eric Wagman
District Manager
Before joining the management of Leading Edge Fundraising, Eric put together a unique mix of occupations and accomplishments which are based upon his deep love for the game of baseball. He was previously a very successful representative with a large national fundraising company who recruited Eric after he helped raise over $10,000 during his time as the Head Baseball Coach at Northeast High School in St. Petersburg, FL. In 2011 his baseball and softball programs saw their profits go up an average of 60%. This led to Eric being awarded the Top Sales Award and being promoted to District Manager.
At Northeast High School, Eric was a Journalism and Mathematics Teacher who also led the baseball team to the playoffs in three of his four years as the Head Coach. In 2006 the team was the 5A District Champion and a Regional Finalist which led to Eric being named the Pinellas County Coach of the Year by his fellow coaches.
While working on his Bachelor of Arts in Management from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL, Eric worked in both the Baseball Operations and Community Relations departments of the Tampa Bay Rays Professional Baseball Team. In 2002, the organization sent him to the exclusive Major League Baseball Scout Development where he graduated in the Top 10 percent of his class. Eric was also awarded his Master of Business Administration from the University of South Florida in 2005.
District Manager
Before joining the management of Leading Edge Fundraising, Eric put together a unique mix of occupations and accomplishments which are based upon his deep love for the game of baseball. He was previously a very successful representative with a large national fundraising company who recruited Eric after he helped raise over $10,000 during his time as the Head Baseball Coach at Northeast High School in St. Petersburg, FL. In 2011 his baseball and softball programs saw their profits go up an average of 60%. This led to Eric being awarded the Top Sales Award and being promoted to District Manager.
At Northeast High School, Eric was a Journalism and Mathematics Teacher who also led the baseball team to the playoffs in three of his four years as the Head Coach. In 2006 the team was the 5A District Champion and a Regional Finalist which led to Eric being named the Pinellas County Coach of the Year by his fellow coaches.
While working on his Bachelor of Arts in Management from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL, Eric worked in both the Baseball Operations and Community Relations departments of the Tampa Bay Rays Professional Baseball Team. In 2002, the organization sent him to the exclusive Major League Baseball Scout Development where he graduated in the Top 10 percent of his class. Eric was also awarded his Master of Business Administration from the University of South Florida in 2005.
John Niemann
District Manager
John has been around high school football his entire life. His father is a hall of fame football coach in Iowa where he grew up. Years later, John became a college football scout where he worked with the best college football programs in America for 17 years. In 2007, he put his economics degree from the University of Iowa to use by getting involved in the fundraising industry. Since then, John has learned how important fundraising is to high school football and how the two go hand in hand.
District Manager
John has been around high school football his entire life. His father is a hall of fame football coach in Iowa where he grew up. Years later, John became a college football scout where he worked with the best college football programs in America for 17 years. In 2007, he put his economics degree from the University of Iowa to use by getting involved in the fundraising industry. Since then, John has learned how important fundraising is to high school football and how the two go hand in hand.
Jerry Nolan
Region Manager
Jerry brings with him 16 years of fundraising experience. He has served both as a field representative and as a regional manager for two national companies. He has directed well over 1,000 personal fundraisers and believes that he has helped raise money to enrich the lives of children. He has helped to hire and train representatives in 27 states so far.
Jerry is the proud father of four children and one grand child. He enjoys working out with his sons as well as trying to develop specialty food recipes.
Region Manager
Jerry brings with him 16 years of fundraising experience. He has served both as a field representative and as a regional manager for two national companies. He has directed well over 1,000 personal fundraisers and believes that he has helped raise money to enrich the lives of children. He has helped to hire and train representatives in 27 states so far.
Jerry is the proud father of four children and one grand child. He enjoys working out with his sons as well as trying to develop specialty food recipes.
Chet Maxcy
District Manager
Chet was born and raised in Sebring, Florida. He played football and baseball in high school, and continued his baseball career into college before transferring to The University of Florida to finish his degree. Chet graduated from UF in 2001 with a degree in Agricultural Economics. He then worked for the family insurance firm from 2001 to 2008 in sales management. Chet was the pitching coach for The Sebring High School Varsity Baseball Program from 2006 to 2009. In 2008 he went to work for The Highlands County School Board as a Science Teacher to pursue his passion for instructing and coaching students.
In the spring of 2010, due to statewide budget cuts in the educational system, Chet took a representative position with a large national fundraising company working with high school sports programs in Southeast Florida. He helped raise over $100,000 for sports programs in Southeast Florida in his first year. In January 2011 Chet accepted a sales management position with Leading Edge Fundraising to continue his work in Southeast Florida.
District Manager
Chet was born and raised in Sebring, Florida. He played football and baseball in high school, and continued his baseball career into college before transferring to The University of Florida to finish his degree. Chet graduated from UF in 2001 with a degree in Agricultural Economics. He then worked for the family insurance firm from 2001 to 2008 in sales management. Chet was the pitching coach for The Sebring High School Varsity Baseball Program from 2006 to 2009. In 2008 he went to work for The Highlands County School Board as a Science Teacher to pursue his passion for instructing and coaching students.
In the spring of 2010, due to statewide budget cuts in the educational system, Chet took a representative position with a large national fundraising company working with high school sports programs in Southeast Florida. He helped raise over $100,000 for sports programs in Southeast Florida in his first year. In January 2011 Chet accepted a sales management position with Leading Edge Fundraising to continue his work in Southeast Florida.
James Wood
Director of Growth & Development
James is father of three great kids and is happily married to his wife Casey for 16 years and lives in Tampa, Florida. He has over 16 years of business, sales and marketing experience. Below are a few of the highlights and accomplishments during his career:
Director of Growth & Development
James is father of three great kids and is happily married to his wife Casey for 16 years and lives in Tampa, Florida. He has over 16 years of business, sales and marketing experience. Below are a few of the highlights and accomplishments during his career:
- Played 4 years of Professional Football in Europe, the Arena Football League and the CFL.
- Has developed two multimillion dollar companies, both as start up businesses.
- Has consulted multiple corporations in the areas of sales leadership, sales growth and sales training.
- Built and managed a sales organization of 1,700 sales consultants throughout North America, Australia and New Zealand. Serving over 26,000 customers.
- Recently, assisted in the development and implementation of a Leadership Development System.
- Achieved High levels of success for 4 years in the Fundraising Business.
Amy Christensen
District Manager
Amy grew up in Fort Wayne, IN and moved to Florida in 1991. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Tampa in 1998. Amy spent 15 years as a dance instructor, teaching jazz, tap, and ballet. She has also been a mobile DJ for the past 20 years. Amy began fundraising in January of 2000 and has been doing it full time ever since. Amy lives with her two children in Safety Harbor, Florida. She stays busy volunteering on the PTA at their school and attending their cub scout meetings, little league, soccer, and basketball games. In her free time, she enjoys riding the roller coasters at the many nearby amusement parks.
District Manager
Amy grew up in Fort Wayne, IN and moved to Florida in 1991. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Tampa in 1998. Amy spent 15 years as a dance instructor, teaching jazz, tap, and ballet. She has also been a mobile DJ for the past 20 years. Amy began fundraising in January of 2000 and has been doing it full time ever since. Amy lives with her two children in Safety Harbor, Florida. She stays busy volunteering on the PTA at their school and attending their cub scout meetings, little league, soccer, and basketball games. In her free time, she enjoys riding the roller coasters at the many nearby amusement parks.
Juan Franco
District Manager
Juan is a Southern California native with 10 years in the fundraising industry. Over the course of 6 years, Juan successfully increased his company's sales by more than 100%. During the 2011/2012 school year, Juan's schools generated over $1 million in total sales. Juan has raised schools, sport groups and other non-profit organizations over $2 million in profit. He is dedicated to the highest level of customer service. "I pride myself in being a resource for the communities and individuals with whom I work." Juan and his wife, Kari have a 3 year old son and a new baby girl born in January 2012.
District Manager
Juan is a Southern California native with 10 years in the fundraising industry. Over the course of 6 years, Juan successfully increased his company's sales by more than 100%. During the 2011/2012 school year, Juan's schools generated over $1 million in total sales. Juan has raised schools, sport groups and other non-profit organizations over $2 million in profit. He is dedicated to the highest level of customer service. "I pride myself in being a resource for the communities and individuals with whom I work." Juan and his wife, Kari have a 3 year old son and a new baby girl born in January 2012.
Erica Labson
District Manager
Erica was born and raised in San Francisco, CA. She enjoys many sports having competed in Ice Skating, Track & Field, Volleyball and Soccer. Erica is active in the Burlingame School District where she serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator on the PTA Council.
Early in her career Erica was a manager at Nordstrom where she learned the value of customer service and hard work while getting her BA simultaneously at San Francisco State University. She began a business as a realtor selling homes in the Bay Area before relocating to Connecticut.
Before joining Leading Edge, Erica found her passion while working for other fundraising companies helping many schools in the greater Bay Area raise much needed funds. She is very passionate about partnering with her schools to raise their goals and making it fun for the students to participate.
District Manager
Erica was born and raised in San Francisco, CA. She enjoys many sports having competed in Ice Skating, Track & Field, Volleyball and Soccer. Erica is active in the Burlingame School District where she serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator on the PTA Council.
Early in her career Erica was a manager at Nordstrom where she learned the value of customer service and hard work while getting her BA simultaneously at San Francisco State University. She began a business as a realtor selling homes in the Bay Area before relocating to Connecticut.
Before joining Leading Edge, Erica found her passion while working for other fundraising companies helping many schools in the greater Bay Area raise much needed funds. She is very passionate about partnering with her schools to raise their goals and making it fun for the students to participate.
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