Biography
After earning his undergraduate degree in politics from Willamette in 2006, Tyler continued his work with Oregon State Senator Dr. Alan Bates, DO. He served nearly eight years as medical clinic manager, personal assistant, and, ultimately, as chief of staff in the Senator's legislative office. Tyler returned to Willamette in 2007 as a Leadership Gift Officer for the Willamette Annual Fund. Tyler served in multiple positions, finally as the Director of the Willamette Annual Fund, helping to achieve record years in dollars raised while leading the team.
In January 2013, Tyler joined Occidental College in Los Angeles as Assistant Vice President for Alumni Engagement. He served as leader of the Oxy Annual Fund, Alumni and Parent Engagement, Engagement Communications, and Donor Relations programs there. Tyler's efforts helped Occidental achieve record growth in raising unrestricted support for the Annual Fund, increasing dollars raised by 60 percent in three years. An expansion in Alumni and Parent Engagement saw record participation in engagement activities, including reunions, homecoming weekends, and regional and virtual activities. Across all three programs, alumni and parent volunteer activity grew three-fold. In 2015, Tyler was named Associate Vice President for Alumni and Parent Engagement.
Tyler returned home to Willamette in 2016. As Associate Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of University Relations, Tyler provides general leadership focused on day-to-day operations for the Advancement division in close partnership with the Vice President. He oversees the Willamette Annual Fund, Alumni and Community Engagement, and the Advancement Communications teams. Additionally, he serves as a principal gift officer and as the publisher of the University's alumni magazine, Willamette.
Successes during Tyler's current tenure include the University's most significant fundraising years, multiple years of record support for the Willamette Annual Fund--doubling the total dollars raised, increased engagement of alumni and friends through nationally recognized virtual programs and in-person events, and an expansion of volunteerism by more than 200 percent.
When away from work, Tyler enjoys spending time with his wife, Katie (Bechtel) BA'06, MBA'12, and their two daughters.