MIAMI, Fla. — Beverly Blake, an experienced foundation executive, has joined the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as a community liaison program officer serving Macon, Milledgeville and Columbus, Ga.   In this expansion of Knight’s field staff, Blake replaces Susan Patterson, who remains based in Charlotte, N.C., and will work in the Knight communities of Columbia and Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Knight has 10 community liaisons who function as the primary grant-making officers in the 26 communities where the foundation serves as a local funder. Knight liaisons coordinate with nonprofit  organizations in their communities and work with local advisory committees to identify funding priorities.

Blake brings more than 20 years of trust and banking experience to her new work. She most recently served as senior vice president and senior charitable adviser of Wachovia’s Charitable Funds Management Group in Atlanta.  While at Wachovia, Blake oversaw the grant making and administration of six private foundations totaling $250 million in assets.

She previously held various positions at Trust Company Bank, now SunTrust Banks, including portfolio manager and vice president of foundations and endowments.

Blake has a bachelor’s degree in education from West Virginia University and is a graduate of American Bankers Association National Graduate Trust School.

Blake serves on numerous community organization boards and committees, including the Medical College of Georgia Foundation Board of Directors, the Mercer School of Medicine Board of Governors and the Junior League of Atlanta Community Advisory Committee.

The Miami-based John S. and James L. Knight Foundation promotes excellence in journalism worldwide and invests in the vitality of 26 U.S. communities.  With assets of $1.9 billion, Knight Foundation is a private independent foundation making $90 million in grants annually.

 Blake can be reached at [email protected]