J
ohn Buller, '69, '71
Growing up on the west side of Omaha, Nebraska, John Buller discovered his love for athletics, especially basketball. Buller earned a scholarship to the University of Washington in 1965 beginning a legacy of love. Buller received his BA in 1969, majoring in Business Administration and achieved his MBA in Business Administration in 1971. When a physical injury kept him from being on the boards, Buller became a coach and mentor.
Taking his education to a northwest institution, Buller joined The Bon Marché beginning his career as a buyer and moving through the corporate structure in the training department and ultimately landing in the marketing and advertising arena. Throughout his 20+ career with the Bon, he continued to support the UW mentoring basketball athletes each year, and actively participating in the Tyee board, Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce board, and the Sports and Events Council.
In 1990, he was asked by the Sports and Events Council to head up the Seattle Organizing Committee for the 1995 Final Four. This became a four-year project. During this time, Buller was the SVP, Sales Promotion & Marketing at the Bon, and served as the Marketing Team Leader of Federated Department Stores. He worked his executive assistant to the bone, but awarded her and her family a trip to Disneyland, all expenses paid. She is forever thankful for his generosity creating such fond memories.
Buller ventured into the field of entrepreneur as a business owner of a restaurant called “Treats” which he owned and ran for four years. He also created a consulting firm following his tenure at the Bon. His provided his vast knowledge of branding and strategic planning to organizations such as the Seattle Community Colleges District, Seattle Center Millennium Project, and Oak Barn Furniture Stores.
As an active member of the University of Washington Alumni Association’s Board of Trustees, Buller decided to vie for the Executive Director position that came available in 2000. In November 2003, John's responsibilities at the University expanded and he became Executive Director of Advancement Communications for the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. His added responsibilities included providing the University community with leadership in strategic and campaign communications, event planning, and creative services.
Buller has an extensive marketing and community background. He has served on the Boards of Tully’s Coffee, SEAFAIR, WAC (Washington Athletic Club), Seattle Center Advisory Commission, SAFE (Seattle Athletic Facilities & Education Advisory Board), and was former chair of the Sports and Events Council, which led to the opportunity to chair the Seattle Organizing Committee for the 1995 NCAA Final Four tournament.
In 2000, Buller received the Dave and Ruth Cohn Alumni Award for outstanding service for his volunteer work with the UW Athletic Department, and in 2005 was awarded the Legion of Honor for his tenure on the Seattle Center Advisory Commission.
