Berkeley, CA, IMMEDIATE RELEASE-The UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAM/PFA) is pleased to announce the appointment of David Wheelan as Director of Development. Wheelan will commence his duties at BAM/PFA on September 1, 2005.

Wheelan comes to BAM/PFA from the Trust for Public Land, where he has served as Regional Director of Development and Strategic Planning since 1999. As Director of Development, Wheelan will lead BAM/PFA's fundraising program as the institution approaches a major capital campaign to develop a new museum and film archive at the western entrance to the UC Berkeley campus. In addition to directing the campaign, he will oversee individual giving to BAM/PFA, as well as fundraising through corporate philanthropy, and government and foundation grants.

Wheelan has worked as a director of development in the conservation community since 1981. Over the past twenty years, he has served as the chief development officer for the Appalachian Mountain Club, The Nature Conservancy, and National Audubon Society in California. At The Nature Conservancy, Wheelan directed the successful first phase of a $300 million capital campaign which included the solicitation of $115 million in the campaign's first year. At the Trust for Public Land, Wheelan directed fundraising programs in California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah, including efforts to raise annual support, capital project giving, and institutional grants.

"I am honored to be a part of what will be a truly historic time for the UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive as it prepares to build a new museum and film center," says Wheelan. "I have no doubt this will become one of the most important cultural centers in the San Francisco Bay Area and the nation

"We are delighted to welcome David to the BAM/PFA," says Kevin E. Consey, Executive Director. "His entrepreneurial approach to fundraising, experience directing major capital campaigns, and immediate understanding of the significance of BAM/PFA's new building project will be key elements of the successful launching of our campaign."

Wheelan has also served as Vice President for Development and College Relations for Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. He attended Connecticut College and earned his B.A. at Washington College in 1980. A native of the Chicago area, Wheelan now lives in San Francisco.