When Catawba College sought a new director of major gifts and planned giving, administrators knew they wanted a seasoned professional with a strong background in finance. They found those attributes in Salisbury resident Eric Nianouris who began his new position in April.

“We are very fortunate to have someone of Eric’s caliber on our team,” said Catawba Senior Vice President Tom Childress. “He is a very familiar face to folks in the Salisbury-Rowan community and to friends of Catawba College. He is active in First Presbyterian Church, the Salisbury Rotary Club, and serves as a member of the board of directors of the Rowan Literacy Council.”

Nianouris will have as his primary responsibility to continue the development of and building upon the estate-planning program already in place at Catawba. Through his efforts, friends and alumni will learn of the benefits both for them and the College through this program.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Nianouris had been president and owner of Allied Carpets, Inc. in Salisbury for 15 years prior to joining Catawba. His other work experience included employment as a sales representative for Galaxy Carpet Mills in Chatsworth, Georgia, and as a financial consultant for Lehman Brothers in New York City and Chicago.

Nianouris earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Miami University in Oxford Ohio. He is married to wife Tami and they have two children, 10-year-old Alex and 18-month-old Emma.