Eddie founded Thompson & Associates. As CEO he provides leadership and direction to over 45 seasoned charitable estate planners with Thompson & Associates. Eddie has planned thousands of estates, which has generated well over $2,000,000,000 to charity during his 30+ years working with nonprofits.

 

In 1983 Eddie obtained his Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University. His doctoral dissertation was on successful fundraising methods. His academic achievements include two M.A. degrees and a B.A. and Associate of Fine Arts.

 

Eddie speaks to organizations from coast to coast on successful fundraising techniques, nonprofit management, and charitable estate planning. Eddie began his career at David Lipscomb University where he served as Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Assistant to the President, and Director of Planned Giving. His career advanced to The EAR Foundation, an international nonprofit, where he served as Chief Executive Officer. In March 2013, Eddie was appointed to National Association of Charitable Gift Planner’s Leadership Institute.

 

Eddie serves as the Chair of the Charitable Estate Planning Institute, a 501(c)(3) public charity offering top-level education on charitable estate planning for development staff, gift planning officers, and professional advisors. Eddie and a group of Thompson & Associates colleagues formed the Institute in 2012. He is also a Fellow in Charitable Estate Planning (FCEP) awarded by the Institute.

 

A native of Florida, Eddie and Sheryl have made Nashville their home. He is a very active pilot with both Land and Seaplane ratings.