Who we are

Wendell “Chip” Bryce ’81, Director
607.254.6147 or 1.800.481.1865

Chip joined the Cornell University Office of Trusts, Estates & Gift Planning in 1995 and has served as director since 1997. He returned to Cornell in 1994 to direct the university’s Real Estate Program. He spearheaded the campaign to raise a $4 million endowment to launch Cornell’s master’s degree in Real Estate and handled gifts of real estate to the university. Before joining Cornell, Chip held positions in real estate development and finance with the parent companies controlling the Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites, and Harrah’s Casino brands. A native Ithacan, Chip returned home to be near family and to pursue his hobbies of sailing, hockey, skiing, and hiking.

Ian Garrett, Associate Director of the Office of Trusts, Estates & Gift Planning
607.254.7122 or 1.800.481.1865

Ian has recently joined the Office of Trusts, Estates & Gift Planning staff, before that serving as an individual giving officer since 2001, most recently within the College of Engineering. Prior to that, he was a consultant with the Winslow Group, managing capital campaigns throughout the state of North Carolina. Ian has a bachelor's degree from Binghamton University, and a Master of Public Affairs specializing in Nonprofit Management from Indiana University. Ian is from nearby Corning, NY, and along with his wife Melissa, is busy raising three young children, Hannah, Jacob and Bridget.

Becky Vallely, Associate Director of the Office of Trusts, Estates & Gift Planning '79 '80
607-254-6133 or 1-800-481-1865

A graduate of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Johnson School of Management, Becky joined the Office of Trusts, Estates & Gift Planning staff in October 2005, returning to Cornell after pursuing a career as a senior financial planner with MetLife. As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®), she specialized in retirement and estate planning. Prior to that, she was Budget Director for the College of Arts & Sciences at Cornell. Becky grew up in the Tompkins County area and lives in Lansing. She enjoys boating, Cornell foot ball and theatre. She is a member of the Tompkins County Estate Planning Council and the Financial Planning Association.