Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees welcomes Chris Bellamy and David White

The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees has welcomed two accomplished alumni and business leaders to its ranks: Chris Bellamy, BBA ‘99, and David White, BS ‘87. Together, they bring decades of executive leadership, financial and strategic expertise and a shared commitment to serving Ohio University.

“Chris and David bring distinct and complementary perspectives to the Foundation Board, along with significant professional accomplishments and strong connections to Ohio University,” said Greg Simmons, president and CEO of the Ohio University Foundation. “Their experience leading growing organizations, navigating change and building strong cultures will be extremely valuable as the Foundation works together to expand opportunities for OHIO students and the University community through the power of philanthropy.”

Established in 1945, the Ohio University Foundation is the tax-exempt, nonprofit organization that serves as the repository for private gifts to OHIO. Through its Board of Trustees, the Foundation engages alumni and friends whose leadership helps shape the University’s future and advance its mission of “Philanthropy in Service to Education.”

About Chris Bellamy, BBA ‘99

Chris Bellamy is a certified public accountant and chief executive officer of Cohen & Co, where he has spent his entire professional career. After graduating from Ohio University in 1999, Bellamy joined the firm, where he focused on the establishment and growth of the firm’s investment industry group which works with asset managers and the products they manage. Bellamy was appointed CEO in 2022 and is responsible for the firm’s strategic direction, growth and development, with an emphasis on talent, operational efficiency and long-term expansion.

Bellamy’s appointment to the Foundation Board builds on more than a decade of service to OHIO. He served on the College of Business Finance Advisory Council from 2014 to 2019 and has served on the College’s Executive Advisory Board since 2019. His civic leadership has also included service with the Community Foundation of Lorain County, Greater Cleveland Partnership and Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

“My service with the College of Business has kept me closely connected to Ohio University, and I’m excited to build on that through the Foundation,” Bellamy said. “I’m excited to use my background in audit, finance, governance and business leadership to support the initiatives of the Foundation, and I look forward to helping connect other alumni and friends with opportunities to support OHIO.”

Bellamy lives in Avon Lake, Ohio, with his wife, JoAnne, also a 1999 OHIO graduate, and their three children.

About David White, BS ‘87

David White is the former chief executive officer and current Board chair of Border States, where he served in several executive leadership roles during a period of significant growth for the company. White joined Border States in 2016 as executive vice president, later served as president and was named CEO in 2020. He led the 100-percent employee-owned company, bringing extensive experience in strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, organizational growth and strengthening workplace culture, before retiring in March 2024.

A 1987 graduate of Ohio University, White earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering. His appointment to the Foundation Board provides an opportunity to share his experience in business, entrepreneurship, executive management, strategy, and organizational culture with OHIO while helping strengthen connections with alumni and friends.

“I’m looking forward to bringing the perspective I gained leading and building strong organizational cultures to the Foundation Board,” White said. “I’m particularly interested in helping strengthen relationships with alumni and friends who are interested in learning more about the numerous ways to invest in Ohio University’s future.”

White and his wife, Therese, live in Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, and have three children and seven grandchildren.