Central Office
The Central Office is the headquarters of the Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity. Initially opened in 1964 in St. Louis, Missouri, the Central Office subsequently operated out of Austin, Texas and Miami, Florida before moving to a fully remote model during the winter of 2021. The staff now works out of several cities across the country, including Philadelphia, Chicago and Flint, Michigan.
The Executive Council employs an Executive Director to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Fraternity. The Executive Director oversees, on behalf of the Fraternity, a professional staff to manage various areas of Fraternity operations. The Central Office staff is responsible for accounts receivable and payable, chapter invoicing, member records, Fraternity communications, national and regional meetings and maintaining our relationships with external audiences.
The Central Office can be reached at 512-472-1904 or via email at Central.Office@ThetaTau.org.
About our Staff
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JIM GAFFNEY
Executive Director
Jim Gaffney (he/him) is a 2007 initiate of the Kappa-Lambda Chapter of Kappa Sigma at Shippensburg University, and a 2014 Honorary Initiate of the Tau-Alpha Chapter at SUNY Geneseo. He is a graduate of Shippensburg University where he studied journalism. Prior to joining Theta Tau’s staff, he served as joint Executive Director of the alpha Kappa Delta Phi International Sorority, Inc. and the Lambda Phi Epsilon International Fraternity, Inc., respectively, the largest Asian-interest sorority and fraternity in North America. He was the first Executive Director for both organizations. In his time with LFE and aKDPhi, he worked to develop and update national policies and procedures, streamline reporting systems and presided over the first-ever reduction in dues at LFE, while maintaining flat or reduced pricing on the per-member insurance rate.
Prior to his work with aKDPhi and LFE, Gaffney served Kappa Sigma as District Grand Master (regional director) for the Upstate New York District, opened five new chapters in 14 months, and saw two chapters win the Founder’s Award for Chapter Excellence, the headline chapter honor in the Fraternity. He was recognized with a distinguished service commendation from the Supreme Executive Committee of Kappa Sigma (national board of directors) in 2016. When not working to advance the Greek community, Gaffney, a native of Philadelphia, is a freelance scenic and lighting designer for theatrical productions and an amateur woodworker.
ERNESTINE BETHEA
Director of Operations
Ernestine Bethea (she/her) is a 2013 initiate of the Nu Gamma Chapter of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated located at Coppin State University where she studied Social Work and Sociology. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Human Service Administration from the University of Baltimore. She has worked as a Grant Services Specialist in the Mayor’s Office of Human Services in Baltimore, Maryland, an Administrative Program Coordinator in the graduate school at Johns Hopkins University and most recently as a Family Services Specialist at the Early Learning Coalition of Broward County.
Bethea started her journey in fraternity and sorority leadership when she was elected President of her undergraduate chapter. She has participated and chaired many community services programs catering to veterans, the homeless, the elderly, as well as premature babies. Bethea currently holds a leadership certification which allows her to serve on a national level in Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. She is also certified in risk management through Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and enjoys sharing knowledge and best practices.
When not working, Bethea enjoys encouraging young women through body positivity speaking engagement. She resides in Baltimore, Maryland.
SUNNY HAN
Director of Programming
JENNIFER KREIMAN
Director of Chapter Services
ENGINEERING LEADERS
for Service, Profession, and Brotherhood