DePriest Waddy, 57, has been named the new CEO of Families First, succeeding Marybeth Leamer, who has served as interim CEO for the last year.

The nonprofit helps at-risk families and children.

Waddy is currently executive director of the Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity in Birmingham, one of the state’s largest community action agencies with a budget of more than $30 million and 500 employees.

“ The strains on the adoption and foster care systems and the long-term transformational changes occurring among families in Atlanta and throughout the state means there is endless work and endless opportunities for Families First to help the most vulnerable,” Waddy said in a statement.

He and his wife, Carol, a former Families First board member, have one adult daughter and granddaughter.

He is former regional director of United Way of Greater Atlanta; director of Business and Corporate Partnerships at Year-Up; CEO of Prevent Child Abuse; and COO  and executive vice president of Big Brothers Big Sisters Atlanta