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DEL.ICIO.USMission leader ‘up-from-the-bootstraps’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The new president and CEO of the Atlanta Union Mission knows what it’s like to be on the precipice of society.
But you wouldn’t know it by looking at Jim Reese’s resume. Most recently, Reese was president and chief operating officer of CCCI (formerly Comprehensive Computer Consulting). And from 2001 to 2005, Reese was CEO of the temporary employment agency — Randstad North America, also based in Atlanta.
At the Atlanta Union Mission, Reese succeeds Jay Cory, who served as interim president since January when longtime CEO David Coleman stepped down. Cory will stay on as the executive vice president of the Atlanta Union Mission.
Reese, who will start his new job on Monday, said his devotion to God has led him to the Union Mission, which “is willing to help those that no one else is willing to help,” especially during these tough times.
“When the economy goes down, you have got people who are right on the edge, and those closest to the line get hit first,” Reese said. “We are able to provide opportunities to get people out of the state of homelessness.”
Whether someone is homeless or a Fortune 500 CEO, Reese said, “Everyone has value.” And Reese can relate to people who have had a turn of bad luck.
“When I was five years old, my dad left,” Reese said. “My mom tried to raise three boys while working as a waitress. I don’t know if we were homeless, but we weren’t far from it.”
Sam Pettway, founder of BoardWalk Consulting, which handled the search, said Reese will be able to bring his executive skills to the Atlanta Union Mission.
“He’s a classic, up-from-the-bootstraps kind of a guy,” Pettway said. “And he’s a man of deep faith with first-rate executive skills.
Reese said he’s been preparing his whole life for this new role. “I believe God has given me the skills to do this job,” Reese said. “I just felt a real calling that it is my time to have an opportunity to do this.”
The Atlanta Union Mission was established in 1938, and it serves 1,142 men, women and children every day with emergency shelter, residential recovery and transitional housing.
Non-profits seek leaders
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta is looking for a new president.
Jerry Tipton, who has been president of the organization for 15 years, has announced plans to retire when his successor comes on board.
Scott Greene, a partner with the Powell Goldstein law firm and chairman of the board, said the organization will cast a wide net looking for a new exectuive including candidates both inside and outside the Boys & Girls organization. The search also will consider people who have worked in the for-profit world as well as the non-profit sector.
“We have got to find someone who has a demonstrated commitment to youth development,” Greene said. “We want a passionate advocate for our kids.” The search consulting firm of Right-Way Services/Resource Mosaic is working with Boys & Girls Clubs on finding a new president and helping modernize the organization.
Under Tipton’s leadership, the metro organization now has a $17 million budget with 24 clubs serving 17,000 children in 12 counties across the region.
The metro Atlanta organization also is launching a national pilot program — Clubs in Schools.The pilot program will start with five clubs in elementary, middle and high schools in the Atlanta region.
Families First seeking a new leader as well
Speaking of searches…. Families First also is looking for a new executive director as longtime president and CEO Patricia Showell plans to retire from the social work organization by June 2010.
It will be launching a nationwide search that will be provided free of charge by the Goodwin Group search firm. Showell has been with the agency for more than 23 years.
Families First chair Roxanne Douglas said in a statement that Showell has been the heart and soul of the organization, but she is excited to engage a new leader to build on that legacy.
The 117-year-old nonprofit seeks to ensure success of children in jeopardy by empowering families with support, such as parenting skills, homeless prevention and professional counseling.
The national search will begin immediately, and once a new executive director is identified, he or she will be given overall management of several of the agency’s key functions.
Downtown proves strategic for Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is leveraging its new downtown address with several growing partnerships and initiatives in the community.
“It’s energized our organization in so many ways,” said Greg Donaldson, a spokesman for the American Cancer Society. “Everything we do has a higher profile in the community and a great degree of energy.”
One example is a new three-year strategic collaboration that the society is announcing this week with the National Medical Association to help educate the general public, physicians and other health professionals on best practices for cancer prevention and early detection.
The effort also will focus on treatment among ethnic minority and underserved population groups. The goal is to help reduce disparities among different population groups. The effort will target historically black colleges and universities as well as Hispanic/Latino organizations.
The American Cancer Society also has received an $8.5 million gift from an anonymous individual to target thyroid cancer research. Donaldson said that gift will permit the society to research the genetic disorder that leads to several cancer risks, particularly thyroid cancer.
“The donor has the disease, and the family carries the gene that is being investigated,” Donaldson said. “That research will be run and managed from here in downtown Atlanta.”
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Comments
By Susan
July 31, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
I have been a long-time supporter of the Atlanta Union Mission. Our community is fortunate to have such a well managed charity.
By Brill
July 31, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Good luck to Jim Reese. Atlanta Union Mission does great work and I am proud to support them.
By Allen
July 31, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
Good stories! Thanks for keeping us up to date on each of these great organizations and their transitions.
By Darrell (www.blackthen.com)
July 31, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Like Susan and Brill, I, too, am a long-time supporter of the Atlanta Union Mission. I’m sure the organization will continue to positively impact lives under the leadership of Jim Reese.
By catlady
July 31, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
I am thankful for the AUM at the Potter’s House for the help it gave my son, who finished the program after 13 long months. Praise God for their work!
By Karen
August 4, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
Jim Reese hired me at Randstad and he was a terrific CEO to work for. He’s the perfect leader for Atlanta Union Mission. A win-win for both Jim and AUM!