North Carolina native and NC State graduate Phillip Wood was officially named Executive Director of the East Carolina University Educational Foundation this July, while also assuming the role of Senior Associate Athletic Director.
 
Wood spent the last 15 years of his professional career in Raleigh as the Wolfpack Club's Associate Executive Director. He oversaw many fundraising activities, including annual giving, capital campaigns, endowments and premium seating for Carter-Finley Stadium and PNC Arena. From capital construction to facility renovations, Wood helped lead the organization's fundraising efforts that totaled over $60 million during his time.
 
With high praise from ECU Director of Athletics Jeff Compher, the Pirate Club is sure to be in good hands. "I am extremely excited to welcome Phillip and his family to Pirate Nation. After a national search with nearly 50 highly qualified applicants, we were able to find the next leader of the Pirate Club just 90 miles away in Raleigh," Compher said.
 
Wood took the time to chat with the Pirate Club's senior writer Jackson Creech to discuss his time in Greenville and his vision for the Pirate Club.
 
Jackson Creech: First, can you tell me just a little bit about yourself?
Phillip Wood: I was born and raised in Rockingham, N.C. I graduated school from NC State in 2001 with a degree in sport management.
 
JC: How did you get started working in college athletics, and specifically with fundraising organizations like the Pirate Club and Wolfpack Club?
PW: I think back, and at the time, I was shucking oysters at 42nd Street Oyster Bar while I was looking for a 10-week internship to complete my degree. Lee Fowler, who was the athletic director at NC State at the time, was in the restaurant quite a bit and I was able to develop a relationship with him. I ended up getting an internship with the athletics ticket office. Fortunately, when that ended I was given the opportunity for a year-long internship with the Wolfpack Club. I started off working with membership: processing donations and helping donors with various questions. I have been very fortunate to spend the last 15 years working at the Wolfpack Club with Bobby Purcell who is, in my opinion, one of the best in the business at what we do.
 
JC: For those who may not know, can you describe your role and some of your responsibilities as executive director and senior associate athletic director?
PW: As the executive director of the Pirate Club, my mission, and our team's mission, is raising money for scholarships, but also overseeing the team effort going into the Southside Stadium Renovation. Those are two big things right now. From the [athletic director] side, I am fortunate that I will be a part of Jeff Compher's executive leadership team, as well as be the sport supervisor for both men's and women's golf.
 
JC: You mentioned Bobby Purcell earlier. He is well-respected in the collegiate athletics fundraising community. What kind of impact did he have on you professionally? What are some things you learned from him?
PW: One of the biggest things is that he is huge on family. Not only within the office, but everybody getting to know each other's family more personally. I want to re-create that culture [at the Pirate Club]. If we can create that in our office, then we can grow it to be the mindset of the donors. We want the donors to understand that no matter the level of participation, we just want them to participate. He never let anyone lose sight of that.
 
JC: Coming from Raleigh and NC State, what are your first impressions of Greenville and ECU?
PW: The first thing is growth. It doesn't take long when you drive around town to realize there are a lot of positive things going on in this city and on campus. I have been an admirer for years of this university and what it stands for.
 
JC: Can you share your vision for the Pirate Club?
PW: Initially, one of our main goals as a staff is to try to close the gap between what the Pirate Club is currently funding for athletic scholarships and what is added from the athletics program. That is something that will take a little time, but I would love to see it happen.
 
JC: What have you learned about the culture and atmosphere of our athletics program as a whole?
PW: One thing that stands out is the passion and pride of Pirate fans. I can't say that I am surprised when it comes to how passionate people are about ECU athletics.
 
JC: Being a North Carolina native, how beneficial is it that you're already familiar with the NC region?
PW: Extremely. One of the things early-on that I was able to talk to Jeff Compher about was just that. I felt that was one of my strengths. Coming in and being able to hit the ground running has been great. My hat is off to the staff here at the Pirate Club. I honestly feel like I've been in this position for about two years.
 
JC: What does the word UNDAUNTED mean to you?
PW: Undaunted means you're never going to stop and nothing is ever going to stand in your way to success. As someone who has seen East Carolina for years and seeing the raising of the No Quarter flag, it's pretty special. Undaunted means you have to keep going and don't stop until the end. Just be relentless in your efforts and I think that is going to be the approach of our staff this year. We have milestones that we need to hit and we will do everything we can do get there.