ISU Foundation President and CEO Tom Mitchell’s fund-raising talent has caught the eye of the University of California at Irvine.

Given the success of recent Foundation-run campaigns, Mitchell has been recruited to fill the vice chancellor for advancement position at UC-Irvine. That is the top fund-raising position at the university in Orange County, Calif., said Richard Murray, business manager of the San Diego-based Paschal-Murray executive search firm.

“We recruited him,” Murray said. “We made direct contact with several people across the country.”

The search began in mid-September, and interviews are currently being conducted, he said. It is likely that the search will conclude later this month.

Mitchell would not comment, but he told ISU Foundation employees in an e-mail that he had recently been contacted about the position. He was asked by the UC-Irvine to visit with them about the position.

Murray said recruiting individuals for a position at this level is very common.

“Very rarely do you have somebody at this level that seeks out an opportunity,” he said.

“They are often just too busy.”

In the e-mail, Mitchell said he was flattered by the approach but that he has a lot to think about.

“UC-Irvine is ranked among the top 10 public universities in the nation,” he wrote.

“It is flattering to be approached for a leadership position at such an institution. However, it is important to thoroughly investigate these opportunities before making a decision.”

In the coming weeks, Mitchell and his wife, Peggy, will consider their options.

“Peggy and I will be thinking through the possibilities and determining our level of interest, if any,” he said.

Leaving Ames and ISU would be hard, Mitchell said.

“Peggy and I very much enjoy Iowa State University, the Ames community and the many friends we have made here during the last five years,” he said. “My work as president of the ISU Foundation and the opportunity to work with an outstanding staff, a visionary new university President Greg Geoffroy and an outstanding group of volunteer leaders is very satisfying.”