Exploring Possibilities, Laying the Groundwork

A Timeline of the Gallegly Center's Early Development (2012-2013)

November 20, 2012

First Documented Meeting

  • First documented meeting related to what would become the Gallegly Center.
  • CLU Participants include then-President Chris Kimball, then-VP of Advancement Steve Wheatley, and former CLU consultant Chuck Jelloian. These three meet with Elton Gallegly at his home in Simi Valley.
  • Wheatley and Gallegly become key allies from this point forward.
  • This meeting occurs nearly eight years before Lori Varlotta becomes CLU’s president.

Deposit Agreement Signed

  • CLU and Gallegly sign the first of three written agreements — the Deposit Agreement.

December 2012/January 2013

circa 2013

Advisory Committee & Fundraising Goals

    A university advisory committee begins meeting regularly to support CLU’s fundraising efforts for the following:

    • Graduate fellowships
    • Physical center
    • Speaker series
    • CLU's first archival collection

"Salute to Service" Fundraising Gala

  • A gala is held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library with about 500 attendees.
  • Proceeds to support Gallegly Fellowships.
  • University advancement office distributes fundraising brochures (described later as “case statements” or “sizzle pieces” by Steve Wheatley).
  • Industry standards view fundraising brochures as being aspirational in nature and not legal contracts.

October 2013

circa 2013

Arrival of Gallegly's Congressional Papers

  • Hundreds of cardboard boxes (Gallegly’s files, letters, brochures, notes) arrive at campus.
  • Boxes are put in storage since no physical center exists yet.