Hans Houshower, vice president for advancement at Bluffton University, has been elected to serve on the BCE board of directors.

Brendon Matthews, the BCE board president, welcomes Houshower as "a strong complement to the board with his experience in development, strategic planning and organizational development, as well as being an entrepreneur himself. We are very excited to add his expertise to the board."

Houshower has served on President James Harder's cabinet since 2007 with primary responsibility for alumni and public relations, integrated marketing and development. Employed at Bluffton since 1997, he previously was Vice President for Academic Advancement and Learning Technologies and has taught in both undergraduate and graduate programs.

As part owner of The Food Store in downtown Bluffton, Houshower also has intimate knowledge of the challenges and needs faced by entrepreneurs.

He and his wife Linda co-own the natural foods grocery with Jon and Sally Weaver Sommer. He said, "I am excited by the long-term potential of the partnership between BCE and the university to benefit entrepreneurs, students and our region and I look forward to serving the BCE Board in ways that advance its mission and contribute to a thriving community."