Executive Biographies
Craig W. Irwin (President)
Convergence Direct Marketing's founder and President Craig Irwin has been in marketing and fundraising since 1995. His experience with response marketing and raising money is broad. From direct mail, telemarketing, email/Internet, SMS, capital campaigns, and print advertising to radio PSAs, major and planned giving, and even on-site management of an infomercial, Mr. Irwin has the experience and enthusiasm to help our clients achieve their marketing and fundraising goals. He has directed comprehensive fundraising programs for local and national clients.
Most recently, Mr. Irwin has worked with The Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation, The Humane Society of the United States, and the Wildlife Land Trust. Prior to forming Convergence, Mr. Irwin was Assistant Vice President at a Washington, D.C. advertising agency and worked as a development director for a major international non-profit organization.
Before turning fundraising from a hobby into a profession, Mr. Irwin worked in banking, was a private equities trader, and has been a licensed Real Estate appraiser and agent.
Mr. Irwin graduated cum laude with a B.A. in both Economics and Political Science from St. Mary's College of Maryland, and has completed additional course work at the prestigious Indiana University Center on Philanthropy.
As an active member of his community, Mr. Irwin works closely with his neighborhood association and St. John's Episcopal Church. Mr. Irwin's recent volunteer activities include The Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Children's Congress.
Nate Snelson (Executive Vice President)
Convergence Direct Marketing's co-owner and executive vice president Nate Snelson is an 11 year veteran of direct mail marketing and fundraising. During that time, he's had the privilege of working and training under some of the most respected names in direct mail marketing and fundraising.
Mr. Snelson began his career with Royall & Company in Richmond, Virginia, where he was introduced to direct mail marketing by Mr. Bill Royall. While at Royall & Company, Mr. Snelson served as a mailing list specialist and serviced such distinguished accounts as Yale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The University of Miami and Washington University, as well as more than 60 additional colleges and universities. He designed for his client's list strategies as well as provided response analytics and recommendations.
Later, Mr. Snelson worked for Mr. Richard Viguerie, who is considered by many to be the founding father of political direct mail fundraising in the United States. Mr. Snelson managed, planned, and consulted on many national grassroots fundraising and public awareness campaigns, as well as state and local political campaigns and races which had national implications.
Prior to joining Convergence Direct Marketing, Mr. Snelson worked for Market Development Group, where he was an account executive servicing and managing both national and international direct mail fundraising programs. Most notable was his work with the Humane Society of the United States, where he managed the housefile direct mail program. It was during this time that Mr. Snelson began working with and developing new and innovative ways and techniques to maximize the effective utilization of high-value/high-utility premium items.
Mr. Snelson joined Convergence Direct Marketing in January 2006 and is a share owner of the firm.
He is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He is currently a Masters of Business Administration candidate at American University in Washington, DC.