The UA College of Engineering has added two senior directors to its development team. Margie Puerta Edson and Mike McKelvey began their new positions on June 15 and together bring nearly a half-century of fund-raising experience to the College.

Most recently, Edson was director of development for the University of Arizona’s Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, and McKelvey was a director of regional development at the University of Arizona Foundation.

“This is an exciting time to be joining the College of Engineering,” Edson said. “The College is well-positioned with a solid alumni base, distinguished faculty and a dynamic vision for the future.”

Edson was previously executive director of the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Tucson, where she coordinated campaigns that raised almost $40 million and managed the foundation’s $20 million in endowed assets.

McKelvey shares Edson’s enthusiastic outlook for the College. “The College of Engineering is poised for unprecedented engagement with its alumni and corporate partners,” he said. “This will attract transformational contributions of time, expertise and financial resources.”

Over his 25-year career, McKelvey has helped development teams he’s worked with raise more than $1.5 billion, he said.

“I am extremely pleased to bring Mike and Margie to the team and I know our alumni will enjoy working with them,” said College of Engineering Dean Jeff Goldberg. “Our plan is to grow development in the College to make stronger connections with our alumni and industry partners.”

Arizona native Edson has 20 years of experience in fund development, public relations and communications and is a frequent speaker on fund-raising and nonprofit management. She has a bachelor’s degree in fine art from Arizona State University, is a Certified Fund Raising Executive, and is on the board of directors of several organizations, including Kore Press and the Kino Border Initiative.

She and husband Fred are avid wilderness photographers and hikers who have explored trails across the United States and Canada. She calls the Grand Canyon her “second home” and describes herself as a “dedicated supporter of the arts, education and environmental causes.”

McKelvey graduated from Oregon State University, where he played football. His varied career includes raising $48 million as head of the development team at the University of Denver’s Daniel College of Business; helping Special Olympics-Oregon set up a planned giving program; financial advising with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management; and a stint as regional director of philanthropy for PeaceHealth’s Sacred Heart Medical Center Foundation.

He has some well-honed people skills and determination that should come in handy, too. McKelvey is the oldest of 14  -- “Brady Bunch syndrome twice” is how he describes it -- and has climbed to the summit of seven 14,000-foot mountains.

“My passions are hiking, biking, golf, music and dancing, traveling, and attending sporting events, musicals and plays,” he said.

In addition to sharing a passion for the great outdoors, Edson and McKelvey both place enormous store in developing strong relationships with College alumni and supporters.

“Having robust student, faculty, alumni and corporate partnerships serves to strengthen relationships, and it will be our role to help make those connections fruitful,” Edson said.  “The potential is tremendous, and I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work with my colleagues, to garner even greater support for the College of Engineering.”

“Margie and Mike have the necessary experience to lead and strengthen our development efforts,” Goldberg said. “Along with Claudia Arias, they are a solid development team that will move the College forward.”