Reid Wientge Becomes TOC's Director of Development

A veteran of the financial services industry joined the center's staff in September as its full-time fundraiser.

Reid G. Wientge, who has an extensive background in business development for a large Connecticut insurance firm, has been named the center's new director of development. Wientge assumes fundraising responsibilities from Robert Bidinotto, allowing Bidinotto to focus his efforts on expanding and directing The Atlas Society.

A life-long interest in government and law led Wientge first to earn a J. D., before later turning to the field of business. For some years he has been involved with libertarian forums in the New York area.

"On the job, I became familiar with how capital markets worked," Wientge says. "But Atlas Shrugged showed me that the source of all capital is the human mind—and that all wealth flows from the ideas of individuals."

"I've always been interested in the world of politics," Wientge says, "but Atlas Shrugged gave me the intellectual tools I needed to identify the underlying issues in the world."

"We're excited to welcome Reid to our staff," says David Kelley, TOC's executive director. "He will spearhead our future growth by implementing initiatives that have been on our drawing board for some time."

Wientge's first major project—a new "planned giving" program for the center—is already under way. (See the advertisement on page 8 of this issue.) Another priority is to significantly expand contact with members and prospective supporters.

"I look forward to getting to know TOC's members, and I welcome their phone calls and letters," he says.

Wientge may be reached by calling the center at 1-800-374-1776, or by e-mail at rwientge@ObjectivistCenter.org.