Dr. Eric A. Becher serves as the Chief Operating Officer for GCA Laser Safety guiding all operational functions on behalf of the company. He received his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Louisville and his MM and BM in Music Education from the University of Michigan. He has over 35 years of experience in higher education, nonprofit, and for-profit leadership. His work includes strategic planning, advancement work (fundraising), and venture capital development.

Early in his career became the youngest person ever to be appointed to be Director of the University of Michigan Marching Band, Becher served in similar roles as a music professor and conductor at several institutions including the University of Minnesota, University of Arizona, and the University of Louisville. In 2000, he moved to the advancement field, first as Assistant Vice President at the University of Connecticut Foundation, then as Vice President of Institutional Advancement at several private Christian institutions. Becher has participated in numerous leadership programs including Leadership Kentucky, Leadership Southeastern Kentucky; Thrivent Associates Lutheran College and University Leadership Program; and the SCUP certification program.

Dr. Becher has led the strategic planning and implementation process at educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and for profit companies utilizing a discovery process that respects institutional traditions, reveals emerging priorities, identifies sustainable ways to implement the strategic plan, and defines effective outcome metrics. His work has included bringing many new facilities online and experience with annual budgets including analyzing financial trends, projecting revenue figures, and monitoring expenses. Becher’s role, in positions as vice president for institutional advancement and as a member of senior leadership teams, has been to connect the vision and goals of the organizations in a focused and purposeful manner in support of the mission and the strategic plan.

Working in higher education his fundraising and advancement experience is extensive, first as a faculty member and now as a seasoned advancement professional. In his first formal position in an advancement role, as Assistant Vice President at the University of Connecticut Foundation, he worked in all phases of a successful $470 million capital campaign. Becher’s responsibilities connected him to numerous aspects of the campaign including the coordination of the program planning (strategic implementation) functions within the Foundation. Throughout his career, Becher has been successful in cultivating relationships and securing major gifts, including numerous multi-million dollar gifts at each institution.

In all aspects of his work, Becher combines a personal passion for tradition and history, with energy for change and growth. Speaking passionately about higher education, nonprofit, and for-profit causes is a natural extension of his work. He enjoys rallying people together for a common purpose while representing the mission of organizations with external entities and professional groups.  He has actively served on community boards and state organizations providing leadership, strategic planning, marketing, and resource development guidance for a variety of organizations.