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Trimble and Hively Join Development Staff

November 20, 2014

In these roles, Trimble and Hively will be responsible for leading and directing regional development within campaigns as well as prospecting, contacting, cultivating, soliciting and securing gifts and pledges from the university's external constituency.

Josh Trimble Jim Hively

Trimble, who earned his MBA from Southwest Baptist University in Missouri, previously worked as a senior admissions counselor at OBU.

"I made the move to development because of a peace beyond my own understanding," Trimble said. "God presented an opportunity specific to my family's needs and desires in a way only He could. There was no denying where He was leading my family. I'm excited for the opportunity."

Trimble has previous experience in education, including a position as a paraeducator in the department of special education for Bolivar High School in Missouri from 2009-10. In that capacity, he was responsible for the educational and social development of students in the program as well as providing support outside the classroom. He joined the OBU admissions staff in February 2010.

Will Smallwood, vice president for university advancement, said Trimble is a wonderful addition to the university development team.

"Josh's education and work experience as one of the top student recruiters for OBU have prepared him to take this next step in representing the university," Smallwood said. "I am confident that alumni, donors and friends of OBU in Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma will appreciate his commitment to the mission of Oklahoma Baptist University."

Hively earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from California Baptist University in Riverside, California. He has worked several sales and development jobs, including major donor development for Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, vice president of development and community relations for Life Stream Complete Senior Living and most recently outside sales consultant for Bonds Alarm Company in Phoenix. In his position at OBU, Hively will be concentrating on the Oklahoma City metro area to develop and sustain relationships that will provide advancement opportunities to support the OBU Mission.

Hively, who has several family members who are OBU alumni, said the position is an answer to his family's prayers.

"My prayer is that God would use me to develop individual, business and church relationships to provide the funding required to accomplish our Vision for a New Century Campaign and beyond," Hively said. "I hope that my efforts will help OBU to grow and increase our mission to transform lives."

Having many connections to the university, Smallwood said Hively's knowledge of OBU's mission will be a terrific addition to the advancement team.

"Given his wealth of experience in development and sales, we are thrilled to have Jim join the university advancement team at OBU," Smallwood said. "As the son of an alum and the father of two alums, Jim brings an intimate knowledge of the mission, vision and values of OBU. There is no doubt that Jim's engaging personality and strong work ethic will resonate with OBU alumni, donors and friends in the greater Oklahoma City metro area and northwest Oklahoma."