Blackbaud, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLKB),a leading global provider of software and services for nonprofits, today announced two key leadership hires to oversee a newly formed function chartered with driving customer satisfaction through operational excellence and quality improvement. Bringing more than 60 years of combined leadership experience, Steve Halleck assumed the role of vice president of business operations, and Steve Hodlin joins as director of operational excellence.

The formation of this dedicated function follows a commitment to a new standard of quality made by Blackbaud CEO Mike Gianoni in May. “Blackbaud is committed to bringing the best thinking, innovation and quality to our products and services, while delivering an outstanding customer experience,” said Gianoni. “Steve Halleck and Steve Hodlin’s combined expertise will catalyze increased operational improvements across Blackbaud that will position our nonprofit customers for even greater success.”

As leader of the new function, Halleck brings significant experience leading teams to operational excellence and enhanced business performance. Most recently, as senior vice president, group operations, Financial Institutions Group at Fiserv, Inc., (Nasdaq: FISV) he oversaw business planning, best practice operationalization, quality improvement and strategic initiative execution for seven businesses with $1 billion in combined revenue contribution. Halleck also served in a variety of other software engineering, quality assurance, and operational maturity roles throughout his 32-year career in technology services.

“I’m excited to join such a talented team that is so passionate about their work and the nonprofits they serve,” said Halleck. “Blackbaud’s heightened focus on operational excellence will allow us to consistently innovate with increased efficacy, engage opportunities with agility and deliver a high-value experience for nonprofit customers as they work to change the world.”

Joining Halleck is Steve Hodlin, a nationally-recognized expert in process improvement, lean six sigma and quality management. Hodlin previously served as vice president, performance excellence at Video Gaming Technologies, Inc. where he delivered a systematic improvement process that increased organizational effectiveness while significantly driving down operating expenses. During his 30+ year career, Hodlin has applied his quality and process improvement expertise in several industries, including financial services, semiconductor equipment, and data communications and internetworking.

“I look forward working alongside the dedicated and passionate Blackbaud team as we come together to provide customers with increased value through standard-setting product quality, service and support,” said Hodlin.

About Blackbaud

Serving the nonprofit and education sectors for 30 years, Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) combines technology and expertise to help organizations achieve their missions. Blackbaud works with more than 30,000 customers in over 60 countries that support higher education, healthcare, human services, arts and culture, faith, the environment, independent K-12 education, animal welfare and other charitable causes. The company offers a full spectrum of cloud-based and on-premise software solutions and related services for organizations of all sizes including: fundraising, eMarketing, advocacy, constituent relationship management (CRM), financial management, payment solutions, analytics and vertical-specific solutions. Using Blackbaud technology, these organizations raise more than $100 billion each year. Recognized as a top company by Forbes, InformationWeek, and Software Magazine and honored by Best Places to Work, Blackbaud is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina and has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.blackbaud.com.

Forward-looking Statements

Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although Blackbaud attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors that could cause results to differ materially include the following: general economic risks; uncertainty regarding increased business and renewals from existing customers; continued success in sales growth; management of integration of acquired companies and other risks associated with acquisitions; risks associated with successful implementation of multiple integrated software products; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; risks related to our dividend policy and share repurchase program, including potential limitations on our ability to grow and the possibility that we might discontinue payment of dividends; risks relating to restrictions imposed by the credit facility; risks associated with management of growth; lengthy sales and implementation cycles, particularly in larger organization; technological changes that make our products and services less competitive; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for Blackbaud, copies of which are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or upon request from Blackbaud's investor relations department. All Blackbaud product names appearing herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blackbaud, Inc.