JON DEVRIES JOINS SENIOR FRIENDSHIP CENTERS

SOUTH COUNTY ADVANCEMENT TEAM

Jon Devries, who today works in the advancement department at Senior Friendship Centers in Venice, was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  When he was only 3 years old, his family moved to Venice, Florida, where he has lived ever since.

Jon’s father was a home builder, who built 35 to 40 custom homes in the Venice area, while his mom stayed home with the family’s six children. Jon attended school in the Venice area, and after graduating went on to get his degree in journalism from the University of Florida.

He then went to work at several papers before coming to work at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune in 1994, where he worked for almost 14 years in a variety of positions, ultimately as Readership Editor, where he focused on various reader engagement strategies.

“Being a journalist prepares you for whatever follows,” Jon said. “Dealing with the deadlines, managing people … it all provides you with a good set of skills for wherever life takes you,” he said.

Later, he entered the world of nonprofits. “I always had wanted to work with mission-driven organizations,” he said, “especially nonprofits.”  Around this time, Jon started his own company, 4:8 Consulting, and would either work either directly as an employee for various nonprofits or as a contract employee.

About eight years ago Jon was working with the Roskamp Foundation, and it was through that relationship that he first heard about and became involved with Senior Friendship Centers.

“I got to know the Senior Friendship Centers’ President and CEO Erin McLeod and some of her team back then, and I was really impressed, but it wasn’t until last fall that I ran into Chief Advancement Officer Declan Sheehy at a business expo and he told me they were looking for some development help down in the Venice area,” Jon said.

Jon was working as director of development for the Venice Symphony at the time, and he while he loves the symphony, he felt the mission of the Senior Friendship Centers was more in keeping with his long-term goals.

Jon accepted the position as Advancement Officer, based in Venice, responsibility for south county, Charlotte and Lee counties.

“For me, it was all about mission, management and mood. The mission at Senior Friendship Centers is so great. The management is tremendous. I know Erin and really respect Declan and the team he is building, and the mood is so joyful and vibrant. It is not your grandmother’s senior center,” he said.

“We are in the joy delivery business,” Jon said. “Whether it is the activities in the Activities Center, our Adult Day Care services, outreach programs, healthy meals or one of our other services, it is such an amazing resource for our community and its senior population,” Jon said. “When I started, I really didn’t realize the depth of services that we offer. It’s very inspiring.”