ABOUT US
THE STORY BEHIND OUR NAME
A “power 10” is an acceleration move. Much like you would call a “play” in another sport, a power 10 is a play that is called in the sport of ROWING (also known as “crew”). It is a series of ten strokes taken at maximum speed and strength and differs in intensity from the normal race pace. It is used to accelerate at the start of a race, accelerate past a competitor, or accelerate to a strong-finish. Bottom line—a power 10 is about accelerating to the next level. A successful power 10 requires “all hands on” full engagement and effort from every member of the team. If all do their part, a power 10 will literally lift the boat a few inches out of the water and drive it to the next level of speed and competitiveness.
We decided on this name for our firm because we exist to assist our nonprofit clients in executing a “power 10.” A power 10/acceleration move for a nonprofit usually involves a dynamic new plan (programs, buildings, etc.), funding to implement it, and the leadership needed to pull it all off. We assist our clients with all three.
How do we know about this thing called a power 10? POWER 10 Founder and CEO Sean Mikula (pictured here—seated second from the right) rowed four years at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He and his West Point teammates won Gold at the 1991 Patriot League Championship. Sean later took the skills he learned on the Hudson River and deployed them in coaching the University of Georgia’s crew team while in law school there.
FAST FACTS
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, POWER 10 is a leading national planning and fundraising firm specializing in strategic plan / initiative development and capital campaigns to fund economic and community development programs and projects at the city, county, region, and state levels.
We employ a proven planning and fundraising process highlighted by POWER 10 professionals providing on-site and remote (virtual, etc.) management of day-to-day operations, thereby dramatically “lightening the load” for client staff and volunteer leaders. P10 staff have managed 100+ campaigns, raised $500+ million and averaged more than 100% of goal. We are equally adept at managing first-time initiative development and campaign projects and “renewal” campaigns to fund subsequent programs.
CORPORATE STRENGTH AND DEPTH
CEO Sean Mikula and President Amity Farrar lead the firm together with a team of professional Campaign Directors—10 fundraisers/planners in all. Accordingly, we are large enough to have excellent depth, yet small enough for Sean and Amity and our other most senior team members to lead and meaningfully influence all client engagements. On average, we undertake 12 – 14 client campaigns per year.
meet the team
Collectively, our staff have spent decades working with businesses, foundations, families, and the government to develop economic development and other strategic plans, conduct feasibility studies to test community support for these plans, and then fund them through high-speed capital campaigns.
Sean Mikula
Founder & CEO
Attorney (UGA), West Point grad, U.S. Army Military Intelligence Officer with 20 years of coast-to-coast capital campaign experience; believes nonprofit campaigns should be run like a military operation complete with occasional use of camouflage face paint and frequent use of “Hooah!” (Per Wikipedia, “hooah” means “anything and everything EXCEPT ‘no’”).
Amity Farrar
President
Labor / Employment Law Attorney (UGA) and University of Michigan graduate with 14 years in the practice of law, and a decade in fundraising and capital campaign management; multi-campaign winner and emerging industry leader; twin citizenship (U.S. and U.K.), twin kids, two pups, one husband, and a whole lotta iron fist in a velvet glove!
Caroline Holmes
Director, Campaign Operations
Auburn U. grad (War Eagle!) and Family Law Attorney (SMU JD) turned Capital Campaign Director; Alabama born and raised but felt a calling to the West – like many before her – and is now Rocky Mountain high; frequently nourished by nature (hiking, biking, skiing); pursues campaign goals like she pursues mountain crests – one step at a time and “no quit “til summit!”
Demming Bass, IOM
Of Counsel
Communications pro and former senior executive at 4 (!) top southeast chambers; has creatively generated new high-impact economic development initiatives — as well as songs for the Nashville crowd; hobbies include being named to Top 40 lists (not yet Casey Kasem’s) and building shelves to hold his many awards; accomplished guitar player and artist, and proud papa to twin daughters.
Sean Carroll
Director, Campaign Operations
Like P10’s fearless leader, this Sean also graduated from one of the US’s military academies and served our country with distinction; accomplished professor, military officer, MBA, and 20+ year communications pro, Sean can deal with well with pressure under fire as proven by his leadership in search & rescue operations; he’s on track to complete the Appalachian Trail – one section at a time – in the next decade; he’s a proud husband and a parent of a daughter and two businesses in the Washington, D.C., area.
Genevieve Coady, PhD
Senior Strategist, Economic Research & Planning
P10’s resident whiz kid with a PhD in Regional Planning, Master of Urban Planning, Bachelor of Community Planning, AICP professional planning certification, and (unofficial) Certificate of Glamping! Has put her big brain to use leading successful economic development initiatives across the country. When not on assignment with POWER 10, Genevieve brings a special Point of View (hint, hint) to running a lakefront resort in the Badger State alongside her family.
Sam Gotkin
Manager, Campaign Operations
“Dedicated nonprofit professional with over 20 years of experience in fundraising, capacity building, and program development. Two master’s degrees: an MSW in Community Development and an MS in Entertainment Business. Successful consultant that has guided numerous organizations in their fundraising efforts, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning. When not helping nonprofits thrive, Sam is a proud mother of two, married to a filmmaker, and passionate about fitness, soul music, and watching art documentaries that inspire her work and personal life.”
Patrick Mifsud
Director, Campaign Operations
Patrick, a retired U.S. Army Colonel with 20+ years of service across four continents, brings his mission-driven mindset to P10. With plenty of experience in high-pressure environments and plenty of advanced degrees (MBA and an MS in Strategic Studies!), he’s equipped to tackle complex challenges. A devoted husband to Dana and father of four reasonably well-behaved children, he also competes with Rocky, his West Highland Terrier, for his wife’s affection.
Ken Rutherford
Branding & Communications
With more than 35 years in graphic design and branding, Ken brings 17 years of Chamber of Commerce experience—having led the in-house design team at the award-winning Gwinnett Chamber in metro Atlanta. A graduate of Leadership Gwinnett (2012), accomplished teacher, coach, and musician, Ken is a native of the Tampa Bay area but has called Atlanta home for most of his life.
Kim Scheeler
Senior Strategist, Chamber Initiatives
Highly accomplished, 25-year nonprofit pro and thrice CEO (United Way Suncoast, Tampa Bay Chamber and ChamberRVA); change-agent who turned around program, impact and the bottom line at every stop; USF MBA (Go Bulls!) and Hoosier undergrad where he learned to throw chairs with loft and distance; when not moonlighting with POWER 10, you can find Kim and his wife, Donna, landing tarpon by moonlight in Charlotte Harbor – and occasionally searching for their lost shaker of salt.
Kami Welch
Senior Strategist, Chamber Initiatives
High-motor 15-year Chamber Pro / CEO with a talent for Talent (U.S. Chamber Talent Pipeline Fellow, started Denver region talent initiative, and named 2023 Outstanding Woman in Business by the Denver Business Journal); tackles critical community challenges with just the right “velvet hammer” style and just says “no” to chamber 3P (parties, pageants and parades); University of Oregon grad (Go Ducks!) who enjoys rigorous hiking, less rigorous skiing, and camping (not glamping(!)) with her husband, Ian, and their two boys.
Mary Winslow
Director, Campaign Operations
Data-driven marketing veteran and MBA with experience from both the client and agency sides—comes together to form one super-director; extensive experience marketing communities and brands and serving on nonprofit boards; former road-warrior and globe trotter and former MSU Spartan but has long called Atlanta home; wife and mother with one regular kid and two with four paws.
READY TO GO?
Are you ready to begin?
If so, all you have to say is, “GO,” and we will:
- Customize for your organization a POWER 10 Project Team to implement our proven process, and
- Drive execution and tempo.