PCC Foundation Appoints New CEO

Lance James has been appointed as the CEO of the Pueblo Community College Foundation. He began his role with the Foundation on September 1 and is looking forward to greeting many Friends of the Foundation at our upcoming events in October, November and December!

James has been working closely with Martha Simmons, the retiring CEO and will formally take the reins of the Foundation following the November 19 Annual Meeting.

Prior to coming to PCCF, James served as the Pikes Peak Library District’s chief development officer and the PPLD Foundation’s executive director. During his five-year tenure, he was responsible for all aspects of building and managing strong partnerships with individual donors, foundations, businesses, and nonprofit groups in the Pikes Peak regional community to support PPLD’s staff, spaces, programs, and services.

Before his time at PPLD, James spent three years as the development director for the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, leading all marketing, membership and fundraising efforts for the organization. From 2012-2014, he worked as the development manager for Harrison School District 2. He has also served as the vice president of development for the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, which is based in Colorado Springs.

James earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Kentucky Wesleyan College and a master’s in physical education from Eastern Kentucky University.

James has been a resident of Colorado Springs since 1996 and has strong family ties to Pueblo. Both his parents were born and raised in Pueblo and he has many family members who currently reside within our city limits.

“I am honored to accept the position of CEO at the Pueblo Community College Foundation. The foundation’s mission and values align perfectly with my own, and I am excited to build upon the organization’s success and grow support for the Foundation, the College and its students,” James said. “I look forward to working closely with the Foundation’s volunteers, staff and donors and the College’s leadership; all of whom are important to advancing the College’s program of work which ultimately impacts the lives of thousands of southern Colorado students.”

In 2021, James was recognized as a fundraising professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Southern Colorado chapter.

PCC Foundation President Sharon Swerdfeger is looking forward seeing how James will impact the landscape of both PCCF and the College. “We never imagined the advancements that would be made under the direction of Martha Simmons,” exclaimed Swerdfeger “and we hope that Lance will meet and exceed all records for program and donor development; ultimately benefiting the advancement of higher education in southern Colorado.”

James and his wife, Jessica, have two children. In his spare time, he enjoys coaching youth baseball, officiating high school soccer matches, cooking, and gardening.