Ken Gentner’s expertise in non-profit organizations crosses a spectrum from deep involvement in congregational planning, finance and fund-raising to non-profit start-up, governance and development. His experience is international, with hands-on work starting recognized charities in both the United States and Canada. He has worked on local and national donor campaigns, capital funding, donor recognition programs and endowment development.

Ken joined Ruotolo Associates following a 31-year career at IBM Corporation. While there, in addition to work in mergers and acquisitions, marketing and sales, Ken was the IBM Corporate Agent for Rutgers University and helped run division-level United Way annual programs. His work on behalf of Rutgers consistently placed IBM among the university’s top corporate donor pools.

Ken has been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Glen Rock, New Jersey, since 1970. There, in addition to serving as congregational president for multiple terms, he chaired a successful capital campaign to renovate facilities and served as a volunteer in others. Ken also ran several annual stewardship programs, grew the pledge base and helped to create and develop the congregation’s endowment fund.

One of Ken’s proudest achievements is as co-founder of On Eagle’s Wings, an ecumenical ministry of the Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican/Episcopal faiths, serving people in remote communities of Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories of Canada. While serving seven years as President of the Board of Trustees, Ken and his team incorporated both US and Canadian corporate entities, purchased and paid for two aircraft and an office condominium, all while recruiting a top-notch ministry staff, volunteer airline pilots and providing teaching, ministry and counseling to more than 1500 children and families each year.

Given Ken’s long relationship with faith-based organizations, he is also well versed in strategic planning, finance development, auditing, non-profit transition planning, strategic board recruitment and other key skills.

Ken has a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Upsala College (summa cum laude) and an M.B.A. from Rutgers University (with honors). While at IBM, Ken also gained a Master’s Certificate in project management from George Washington University and was jointly certified in project management by The Project Management Institute and IBM.  

He lives with his wife, Claudia, in Glen Rock, New Jersey.