Association Of Public And Land-Grant

Washington, DC · Founded 1887

National association supporting public universities and land-grant institutions in research, teaching, and public service

Primary audience

Higher Education Institutions

Work area

Policy Advocacy

Topic

Public Higher Education

Contact

Mark Becker

Website Contact

About Organization

The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities supports high-quality public higher education across the United States by providing policy forums, research advancement, and institutional support. Based in Washington, DC, and founded in 1887, the organization operates with 77 employees and 500 volunteers, generating $19.4 million in annual revenue. The association serves its member institutions through policy development, engagement initiatives, and coordination of educational programs.

What They Focus On

Higher Education Policy

Developing and advocating for policies that strengthen public universities and advance the public interest in education

Research Excellence

Supporting member institutions in conducting innovative research that addresses societal challenges and creates knowledge

Public Service

Enhancing the capacity of land-grant and public universities to serve their communities through engagement programs

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2023)

$19.4M

-0.2% vs 2022

Expenses (2023)

$18.7M

-1.2% vs 2022

Assets (2023)

$42.0M

+2.7% vs 2022

Employees (2023)

-13.5% vs 2022

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Employees
2023	$19,368,185	$18,671,546	$42,022,488	77
2022	$19,408,713	$18,895,715	$40,931,777	89
2020	$22,901,533	$18,062,907	$29,121,420	79
2019	$21,009,932	$20,293,636	$22,982,514	87
2018	$18,487,401	$18,687,362	$17,413,219	77

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

01

Member Engagement

Convene public university leaders to identify shared challenges and opportunities in higher education
02

Policy Analysis

Develop evidence-based policies that support public higher education institutions and their missions
03

Resource Distribution

Provide program support and operating grants to advance institutional priorities and initiatives
04

Impact Assessment

Foster continuous improvement through evaluation of teaching, research, and public service outcomes

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Association Of Public And Land-Grant

Policy Development

Forum for discussion and development of policies affecting higher education and the public interest

Research Advancement

Support for member institutions in conducting and promoting high-quality research initiatives

Learning and Engagement

Programs dedicated to advancing teaching methods and community engagement across public universities

Institutional Support

Resources and guidance for public universities in their teaching, research, and public service roles

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Association Of Public And Land-Grant.

Contact the team Contact

Howard Gobstein

Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Full-time

Compensation: $216,049

Jean Middleton

Senior Vice President & Chief of Staff

Full-time

Compensation: $190,415

Craig Lindwarm

Senior Vice President, Governmental Affairs

Full-time

Compensation: $215,650

Karen Vignare

Vice President, Digital Transformation for Student Success

Full-time

Compensation: $188,062

Bernard Burrola

Vice President, International, Community, & Economic Engagement

Full-time

Compensation: $183,409

Varun Dhawan

Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

Waded Cruzado

President

Jeff Lieberson

Executive Vice President & Senior Vice President, Public Affairs

Michelle Szechenyi

Vice President, Human Resources

Jenny Schneider

Executive Assistant

Amanda Tropiano

Assistant Director, Sponsorship & Events

Claire Shu

Senior Associate, Events

Lexus Bivins

Senior Associate, President's Office

Jessica Bennett

Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs

Bao Le

Associate Vice President, Data & Policy Analysis (DPA)

Kacy Redd

Associate Vice President, Research & STEM Education

Levi Shanks

Assistant Vice President, Academic & Student Affairs

Brendan Parmenter

Assistant Director, Data and Policy Analysis

Rifa Ariella

Manager, Academic Affairs

Morgan Marsh

Associate, Academic Affairs

Megan Tesene

Assistant Vice President, Digital Transformation for Student Success

Riccardo Purita

Assistant Director, Digital Transformation for Student Success

Kim Prophet

Controller

Marsha Ogburn

Manager, Payroll

Don Hawkins

Senior Associate, Finance (Accounts Payable)

Wendy Fink

Executive Director, Academic Programs Section and Associate Vice President, Food, Agriculture & Natural Resources (FANR)

Bill Hoffman

Executive Director, Cooperative Extension System (CES) & Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP)

Andrea Putman

Assistant Vice President, Food, Agriculture, & Natural Resources (FANR) Communications and External Partnerships

Kelly Dalton

Executive Director, Board on Health & Human Sciences (BHHS) and Director, Food, Agriculture, & Natural Resources (FANR)

Marcus Glassman

Director, Governmental Affairs, Agriculture, and International Development

Suzette Robinson

Special Assistant to the Vice President, Food, Agriculture, & Natural Resources (FANR)

Flannery Bethel

Manager, Food, Agriculture, & Natural Resources (FANR)

Kim Scotto

Manager, Food, Agriculture, & Natural Resources (FANR) Communications

Susan Thomas

Senior Associate, Food, Agriculture & Natural Resources (FANR)

Deborah Altenburg

Vice President, Research Policy and Advocacy

Megan McKeown

Director, Governmental Affairs

MacGregor Obergfell

Director, Governmental Affairs

Ashley Amian

Assistant Director, Governmental Affairs

Arlo Hettle

Senior Associate, Governmental Affairs

Henry M. Wong

Assistant Vice President, IT & Building Operations

Denis Garcia

Manager, Information Technology (IT)

Alvaro J. Muñiz

Director, International, Community, & Economic Engagement

Jordan Merker

Assistant Director, International, Community, & Economic Engagement

Milan Ephraim

Assistant Director, International, Community, & Economic Engagement

Caydan Henslee

Manager, International, Community, & Economic Engagement

David Edelson

Associate Vice President, Public Affairs & Member Engagement

Mike Brost

Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs

Rachel Storey

Manager, Public Affairs

Courtney Fisher

Associate, Public Affairs

Abigael Eshete

Senior Associate, Research Policy

Jennifer Keup

Vice President, Urban Initiatives & Executive Director, Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU)

Samantha Levine

Director, Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU)

Jimmy McClellan

Director, Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU)

Alex Blumenthal

Associate, Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU)

Mark Becker

President

Full-time

Compensation: $806,890

Bernard Mair

SVP, Chief Academic Officer

Full-time

Compensation: $283,008

Jeffrey Lieberson

EVP & SVP, Public Affairs

Full-time

Compensation: $226,920

Doug Steele

VP, Food Ag Natural Resources

Full-time

Compensation: $358,067

Debbie Altenburg

Assoc VP, Research Policy & Gov Affairs

Full-time

Compensation: $200,051

Brian Sandoval

Director

Cinnamon Blair

Director

Darryll Pines

Director

Garnett Stokes

Director

Joan Ferrini-Mundy

Director

Joan Gabel

Director

Jonathan Pruitt

Director

Jonathan Wickert

Director

Kristen Adams

Director

Lisa Freeman

Director

Lynne Chronister

Director

Martino Harmon

Director

Michael Amiridis

Director

Michelle Marks

Director

Noelle Cockett

Director

Paul Jones

Director

Samuel Caldwell

Director

Santa Ono

Director

Sharon Paynter

Director

Taylor Eighmy

Director

William Tate

Director

Milestones

1887

Association Founded

1887

Established to support the growing network of public and land-grant universities

1974

Tax-Exempt Status

1974

Received IRS recognition as tax-exempt educational organization under Section 501(c)(3)

2020

Revenue Peak

2020

Achieved highest annual revenue of $22.9 million supporting member institutions

2023

Current Operations

2023

Operating with 77 employees and 500 volunteers serving public universities nationwide

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

Varun Dhawan CFO, Treasurer 37.50 hrs/week · $234,475

Brian Sandoval Director 1.00 hrs/week

Cinnamon Blair Director 1.00 hrs/week

Darryll Pines Director 1.00 hrs/week

Garnett Stokes Director 1.00 hrs/week

Gary May Chair 2.00 hrs/week

Joan Ferrini-Mundy Director 1.00 hrs/week

Joan Gabel Director 1.00 hrs/week

Jonathan Pruitt Director 1.00 hrs/week

Jonathan Wickert Director 1.00 hrs/week

Kristen Adams Director 1.00 hrs/week

Lisa Freeman Director 1.00 hrs/week

Lynne Chronister Director 1.00 hrs/week

Makola Abdullah Chair Elect 2.00 hrs/week

Martino Harmon Director 1.00 hrs/week

Michael Amiridis Director 1.00 hrs/week

Michelle Marks Director 1.00 hrs/week

Noelle Cockett Director 1.00 hrs/week

Paul Jones Director 1.00 hrs/week

Samuel Caldwell Director 1.00 hrs/week

Santa Ono Director 1.00 hrs/week

Sharon Paynter Director 1.00 hrs/week

Taylor Eighmy Director 1.00 hrs/week

Waded Cruzado Past-Chair 2.00 hrs/week

William Tate Director 1.00 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2023)

$3.5M

Highest Paid

$865K

Mark Becker

Compensated Officers

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Mark Becker	President	$806,890	$58,042	$864,932	37.5
Doug Steele	VP, Food Ag Natural Resources	$358,067	$44,049	$402,116	37.5
Bernard Mair	SVP, Chief Academic Officer	$283,008	$39,674	$322,682	37.5
Jeffrey Lieberson	EVP & SVP, Public Affairs	$226,920	$42,935	$269,855	37.5
Varun Dhawan	CFO, Treasurer	$234,475	$31,827	$266,302	37.5
Howard Gobstein	SVP, Stem Ed & Research Policy	$216,049	$33,298	$249,347	37.5
Craig Lindwarm	VP, Governmental Affairs	$215,650	$27,997	$243,647	37.5
Debbie Altenburg	ASSOC VP, Research Policy & Gov Affairs	$200,051	$22,282	$222,333	37.5
Karen Vignare	VP, Digital Transformation, EXEC DIR	$188,062	$28,909	$216,971	37.5
Jean Middleton	Chief Of Staff & SVP	$190,415	$26,446	$216,861	37.5
Bernard Burrola	VP, Int'L Community & Econ DEV	$183,409	$22,997	$206,406	37.5

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
M Peter Mcpherson	President (To 08/22)	$661,944	$44,836	$706,780	37.5
Doug Steele	VP, Food Ag Natural Resource	$339,020	$52,410	$391,430	37.5
Mark Becker	President (From 08/22)	$289,309	$19,806	$309,115	37.5
Bernard Mair	SVP, Chief Academic Officer	$251,249	$49,426	$300,675	37.5
Jeffrey Lieberson	EVP & SVP, Public Affairs	$215,565	$57,919	$273,484	37.5
Howard Gobstein	SVP, Stem Ed & Research Policy; SR. Advisor	$214,509	$46,194	$260,703	37.5
Varun Dhawan	CFO, Treasurer	$219,486	$37,053	$256,539	37.5
Craig Lindwarm	VP, Governmental Affairs	$202,740	$34,148	$236,888	37.5
Karen Vignare	VP, Digital Transformation, EXEC DIR Plc	$178,256	$38,528	$216,784	37.5
Jean Middleton	Chief Of Staff & SVP	$178,186	$32,561	$210,747	37.5
Debbie Altenburg	ASSOC VP, Research Policy & Gov Affairs	$187,551	$21,034	$208,585	37.5
Bernard Burrola	VP, Int'L, Community & Econ DEV	$173,470	$27,426	$200,896	37.5
Caroline Henney	Ecop Executive Director (To 09/22)	$164,779	$17,774	$182,553	37.5
Ashlie Prioleau	VP, Urban Initiatives (To 09/22)	$163,411	$17,212	$180,623	37.5

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
M Peter Mcpherson	President	$751,733	$58,511	$810,244	37.5
Douglas L Steele	VP Food Ag Natural Resour	$316,278	$55,285	$371,563	37.5
Bernard Anthony Mair	SVP CAO	$237,320	$53,576	$290,896	37.5
Howard Gobstein	Executive VP	$209,095	$49,548	$258,643	37.5
Jeffrey Lieberson	SVP Of Public Affairs & Ch	$195,822	$60,470	$256,292	37.5
Shari Garmise	VP Urban Initiatives & Ed	$206,396	$27,707	$234,103	37.5
Eugene L Anderson	VP Of Oas	$175,861	$48,884	$224,745	37.5
Bryan J Cook	VP Data Policy Analysis	$169,385	$54,034	$223,419	37.5
Scott Powell	CFO, Treasurer (To 11/20)	$189,279	$18,231	$207,510	37.5
Karen K Vignare	Plc Executive Director	$168,038	$39,465	$207,503	37.5
Craig Lindwarm	Vice President Oga	$169,180	$31,379	$200,559	37.5
Sheila A Martin	VP Econ DEV Com Engagement	$161,554	$38,406	$199,960	37.5
Jean Middleton	VP, Chief Of Staff	$161,767	$31,657	$193,424	37.5
Emily Van Loon	CFO, Treasurer	$171,496	$18,869	$190,365	37.5
Eddie Gouge	Executive Director Caret	$149,737	$32,253	$181,990	37.5

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
M Peter Mcpherson	President	$558,916	$50,766	$609,682	37.5
Douglas L Steele	VP Food Ag Natural Resourc	$301,465	$48,344	$349,809	37.5
Bernard Anthony Mair	SVP CAO	$212,058	$46,636	$258,694	37.5
Shari Garmise	VP Urban Initiatives & Ed Usu	$200,351	$39,899	$240,250	37.5
Jeffrey Lieberson	SVP Of Public Affairs & Chief Strategy Officer	$188,476	$50,158	$238,634	37.5
Howard Gobstein	Executive VP	$183,376	$43,093	$226,469	37.5
Emily Van Loon	CFO, Treasurer	$172,420	$42,766	$215,186	37.5
Eugene L Anderson	VP Of Oas	$165,424	$42,207	$207,631	37.5
Bryan J Cook	VP Data Policy Analysis	$152,044	$44,908	$196,952	37.5
Karen K Vignare	Plc Executive Director	$156,767	$38,948	$195,715	37.5
Craig Lindwarm	Vice President Oga	$165,447	$26,701	$192,148	37.5
Jean Middleton	VP, Chief Of Staff	$156,416	$27,377	$183,793	37.5
Montague Demment	VP Of International Programs	$152,088	$22,453	$174,541	37.5
Sheila A Martin	VP Econ DEV Com Engagement	$136,352	$33,449	$169,801	37.5
Anne-Claire Hervy	Associate VP Ip	$122,035	$34,062	$156,097	37.5

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
M Peter Mcpherson	President	$541,015	$141,844	$682,859	37.5
Ian Maw	VP, Food Agri Natres	$451,201	$30,060	$481,261	37.5
Alan Mabe	VP, Acad. Affairs	$274,164	$27,010	$301,174	37.5
Howard Gobstein	Executive VP	$206,964	$40,556	$247,520	37.5
Jennifer Poulakidas	VP, Congress. Affairs	$208,414	$28,684	$237,098	37.5
Shari Garmise	VP, Usu/Urban Init.	$194,684	$36,783	$231,467	37.5
Jeffrey Lieberson	VP, Public Affairs	$181,581	$47,144	$228,725	37.5
Montague Demment	VP, Intl Programs	$175,891	$46,313	$222,204	37.5
Emily Van Loon	CFO, Treasurer	$186,109	$24,407	$210,516	37.5
Eugene L Anderson	VP, Oas	$167,026	$24,746	$191,772	37.5
Jean Middleton	VP, Chief Of Staff	$149,382	$25,814	$175,196	37.5

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$125K Grants Received

$1.3M Grants Given

32 Organizations

Top Funders

1 total

Strada Education Foundation Inc.

$125K

Top Grantees

31 total

Association For Institutional Research TALLAHASSEE, FL

$144K

South Dakota State University BROOKINGS, SD

$132K

University Of Washington - Grant And Contract Accounting CHICAGO, IL

$111K

University Of Colorado Denver DENVER, CO

$90K

University Of New Mexico ALBUQUERQUE, NM

$90K

National Center For Civic Innovation NEW YORK, NY

$80K

Regents Of The University Of Michigan PITTSBURGH, PA

$65K

Mississippi State University MISSISSIPPI STATE, MS

$60K

Northwestern University EVANSTON, IL

$54K

Auburn AUBURN, AL

$52K

+21 more grantees

Strada Education Foundation Inc. Association For Institutional Research South Dakota State University University Of Washington - Grant And Contract Accounting University Of Colorado Denver University Of New Mexico National Center For Civic Innovation Regents Of The University Of Michigan Mississippi State University Northwestern University Auburn Georgia State University Florida International University University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley Montclair State University University Of Pittsburgh Extension Foundation University At Albany Suny University Of Texas San Antonio University Of Illinois Chicago South Texas College American Association For The Advancement Of Science Eastern Michigan University Purdue University Arizona State University University Of Florida University Of Wisconsin-Madison Utah State North Carolina State University Texas A&M University The Ohio State University

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

Self-Lobbying

8 Registrations

6 Clients

Yes Self-Lobbying

Clients 6 total

Association Of Public And Land-Grant Universities

2 filings

Self

Association Of Public And Land-Grant Universities (Aplu) Formerly Nasulgc

1 filing

Self

New York Association Of Public Power

2 filings

Acg Advocacy On Behalf Of American Association Of Publishers

1 filing

California Association Of Public Hospitals And Health Systems

1 filing

National Association Of Public Health Statistics And Information Systems

1 filing

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with Association Of Public And Land-Grant

Email

[email protected]

Phone

(202) 478-6040

Social

Visit Website

1220 L St NW 1000 Washington, DC 20005

Association Of Public And Land-Grant

What They Focus On

Financial Information

How They Work

Member Engagement

Policy Analysis

Resource Distribution

Impact Assessment

Programs and Initiatives

Policy Development

Research Advancement

Learning and Engagement

Institutional Support

Team & Leadership

Howard Gobstein

Jean Middleton

Craig Lindwarm

Karen Vignare

Bernard Burrola

Varun Dhawan

Waded Cruzado

Jeff Lieberson

Michelle Szechenyi

Jenny Schneider

Amanda Tropiano

Claire Shu

Lexus Bivins

Jessica Bennett

Bao Le

Kacy Redd

Levi Shanks

Brendan Parmenter

Rifa Ariella

Morgan Marsh

Megan Tesene

Riccardo Purita

Kim Prophet

Marsha Ogburn

Don Hawkins

Wendy Fink

Bill Hoffman

Andrea Putman

Kelly Dalton

Marcus Glassman

Suzette Robinson

Flannery Bethel

Kim Scotto

Susan Thomas

Deborah Altenburg

Megan McKeown

MacGregor Obergfell

Ashley Amian

Arlo Hettle

Henry M. Wong

Denis Garcia

Alvaro J. Muñiz

Jordan Merker

Milan Ephraim

Caydan Henslee

David Edelson

Mike Brost

Rachel Storey

Courtney Fisher

Abigael Eshete

Jennifer Keup

Samantha Levine

Jimmy McClellan

Alex Blumenthal

Mark Becker

Bernard Mair

Jeffrey Lieberson

Doug Steele

Debbie Altenburg

Brian Sandoval

Cinnamon Blair

Darryll Pines

Garnett Stokes

Joan Ferrini-Mundy

Joan Gabel

Jonathan Pruitt