Business school grad to head Alumni Association

John Buller, ’69, ’71, will be the new executive director of the UW Alumni Association and the University’s associate vice president for alumni relations, effective March 5, the UW and the association jointly announced.

John Buller

Buller’s background includes 10 years as a senior vice president in sales promotion, marketing and public relations at the Bon Marché department store headquarters in Seattle. For the past four years he has been president of JKB & Associates, a brand identity consulting firm that has assisted more than 25 Puget Sound organizations.

His service to the University includes volunteer work with the athletic department and the UW School of Business, as well as serving on the UWAA Board of Trustees. He is currently on the boards of Seafair, the Washington Athletic Club and the Seattle Center Advisory Board and is the chair of SAFE, an oversight committee for Seattle Public Schools athletics programs.

“I am delighted by the appointment of John Buller to lead our alumni relations program and the Alumni Association,” says UW President Richard L. McCormick. “His deep commitment and passion for the University is infectious. Under his leadership, I know the Alumni Association will thrive and prosper. It’s a great match.”

“We look forward to an exciting future under John Buller’s leadership for the association. His substantial strength in marketing, public service experience and connections with the corporate community will tremendously enhance the association and the University,” adds UWAA Board of Trustees President Patricia Bostrom.

In accepting the position, Buller says, “I’m absolutely thrilled. It’s a tremendous organization with a long history of making a difference in the lives of students and alumni. This is a wonderful opportunity to be involved with outstanding people and a great organization.”

A native of Omaha, Neb., Buller was recruited as a forward by Basketball Coach Mac Duckworth and also played under Tex Winter. As a senior, he shared the team’s 101 Club Award as basketball’s top student-athlete. He also served as a UW graduate assistant basketball coach in 1970-71. At the UW, he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance in 1969 and an MBA in 1971 and was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

Buller succeeds Sheila Manus Vortman, who has served as interim director since Sept. 30. The alumni relations director represents 300,000 UW alumni, including the 50,000 dues-paying members of the UW Alumni Association. Founded in 1889, the UW Alumni Association is one of the oldest alumni organizations on the West Coast and ranks among the top 25 member-based alumni groups in the nation.