LOMC is excited to share that the LOMC Board voted unanimously to call Clyde Walter as its next permanent Executive Director. Clyde has been serving half time as Interim Executive Director since June 3, and began serving 2/3 time in September as fully called Executive Director.
Clyde is a seasoned nonprofit and ministry organization leader, having spent over 15 years working with several faith-based and human service organizations in areas of strategic leadership, program management, fundraising, and marketing/outreach. Since 2022, Clyde has served as a consultant with GSB Fundraising, a firm that works with several other ELCA camping ministries, congregations, and nonprofits. With GSB, he consults in areas of strategy and planning, organizational development, fundraising, and marketing. Clyde will remain a part-time consultant with GSB. Prior to joining GSB, Clyde served as Chief Growth Officer for Josselyn, which has become Northeastern Illinois’ largest provider of community mental health, where he partnered in developing an ambitious 5-year strategic plan, leading the organization’s brand refresh, and increasing fundraising from $2.5 Million to over $8 Million annually. Preceding Josselyn, Clyde served as Vice President for Advancement at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and in fundraising and outreach roles with Grace Lutheran Church and School (River Forest, IL) and Augustana College (Rock Island, IL). Additionally, Clyde has previously served in board leadership roles for Wesley Child Care Center and Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries, and currently serves on the board of The Gift Theatre in Chicago.
Clyde is married to Pr. Kyle Severson, an ELCA rostered minister serving as Lead Pastor at St. Luke Lutheran in Park Ridge, IL. Clyde will split his time between their home in Des Plaines, IL, and LOMC, where he’ll also have housing. While he didn’t grow up Lutheran or experience Lutheran camping ministry as a kid, Clyde did experience outdoor adventure and leadership formation through Scouting, where he was an avid camper and adventurer and ultimately became an Eagle Scout. In his work with GSB, Clyde has enjoyed getting to know church camps and seeing their impact on faith development and leadership formation. Outside of work, Clyde loves the outdoors – land and sea, loves to cook and gather around food, enjoys music, sings with a community and church choir, and loves to travel.
