Reuben Mayes moves to Business and Economics

PULLMAN — Rueben A. Mayes is the new senior director of development for the Washington State University College of Business and Economics.

Mayes is the first appointment of CBE Dean Eric Spangenberg, who assumed his new role as head of the college last week.

“Rueben is the ideal person to lead our development efforts and I am honored that he is joining our team” says Spangenberg. “I have known Rueben for many years, and I believe that he brings a wealth of strategic leadership, knowledge, and experience in development to the CBE. He is very familiar with the mission, vision, and goals of both the college and the university. I’m already impressed by the energy and vitality that he brings to his job and to our many quality-focused initiatives.”

“Not often do you get the chance to work with a new dean who understands the college and has new and fresh ideas to take it to the next level,” says Mayes. “I came on board because I believe that the CBE can be one of the best business schools in the country.

“In order to achieve our goals for private support, we need to deepen our relationships with all of our alumni and friends. I’m excited to lead the team that will accomplish that and raise the resources that will fuel the CBE’s success.”

Mayes, like Spangenberg, knows the college well — both are alumni. Mayes earned his MBA in 2000 with a concentration in management information systems. His bachelor’s degree is in social sciences with a minor in business administration.

Prior to this CBE appointment, Mayes served as the director of development for the WSU Office of Undergraduate Education, with responsibilities also to the Honors College. In that position, he served under Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Doug Baker, who will soon become the provost at the University of Idaho.

In the CBE, Mayes replaces Rene Scourey, who moved to the WSU Foundation central offices as VP of Communications/Donor Relations. Spangenberg’s predecessor as dean was Len Jessup, new president of the foundation and VP for university development.

Mayes’ background is in both major gifts fundraising and annual giving. He worked as assistant dean for external relations at the University of Washington business school, and was previously the executive director of the WSU President’s Associates program and assistant athletic director for annual giving. Prior to that, he held fundraising leadership positions at NASS (National Association of Street Schools) and CRISTA Ministries in Seattle, where he developed a state-approved alternative secondary education program.

Mayes came to WSU in 1982 as a social science major and running back on the Cougar football team. By the time he earned his bachelor’s degree, he had set NCAA, PAC-10, and WSU records, and had won several honors in the U.S. and in his native Canada. He went on to play pro football for the New Orleans Saints from 1986-90 and the Seattle Seahawks in 1992-93. He was the 1986 National Football League Rookie of the Year and a two-time pro bowl selection. He retired from pro football in 1994 and joined CRISTA Ministries, kicking off his development career. He was recently inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame.

He was born and raised in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. He makes his home today in Pullman with his wife, Marie, who is the project director of the university’s Innovation Assessment Center. Their sons, Logan and Kellen, attend Lincoln Middle School and Franklin Elementary School, respectively.