Connections - 10.31.19

Comings & Goings: October 2019

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Imagine!

BOULDER, CO: Mark Emery, CEO of Imagine!, retired after 35 years of service at the end of June. Mark’s work at Imagine! began at the end of 1983. Over the course of the following decades, he held eight different positions of increasing responsibility, with the ninth culminating as Chief Executive Officer. Innovation was in Mark’s DNA. Whether he was leading a team, participating in the process of program development, or working with the State of Colorado, Boulder and Broomfield counties to secure funding, the work Imagine! is doing today was often shaped by Mark’s leadership.

Rebecca Novinger is the new CEO of Imagine! Replacing Mark is not an easy task, but Rebecca is uniquely qualified to do so. During her tenure at Imagine!, she has held vital leadership roles, including Director of Client Relations and Chief Strategy Officer. Imagine! has a rich history of leadership and innovation in I/DD services and Rebecca looks forward to continuing to lead the organization into the future.

Kentucky Association of Private Providers

DANVILLE, KY: Amy Staed became the Executive Director of the Kentucky Association of Private Providers (KAPP) effective July 1. Prior to joining KAPP, Amy served as a policy advisor to the Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives. Throughout her career, Amy has worked with and advocated on behalf of waiver providers to ensure that providers are treated fairly, reimbursed appropriately and given a voice in Frankfort.

Scioto Properties

POWELL, OH: Scioto President and CEO Mary Bea Eaton announced that she will retire on December 31, 2019. After 14 years of executive leadership at Scioto and 30 years in the I/DD field, she will be reflecting on how best to benefit the industry through her various board affiliations. Mary Bea is currently a member of the ANCOR Foundation Board of Directors.

Scioto Properties, a long-time Gold Partner and supporter of ANCOR, will appoint Matt Mumma to serve as Scioto’s President & CEO, effective January 1, 2020. Matt, who joined Scioto in June 2019, brings 23 years as a provider for I/DD and behavioral health services in various executive roles. Mary Bea will continue to work with Scioto’s board and management team to ensure a smooth transition.

Southern Maine Agency on Aging

PORTLAND, ME: Laurence Gross has retired from the Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA) after a 41-year career with the agency. Megan Walton was hired as CEO effective August 6. Most recently, Walton served as Chief Operating Officer at Amara, a Seattle nonprofit that works with children in foster care and their families. 

“I know that Megan is well aware of the huge shoes she will be filling, but we are very confident that she will be a great leader for SMAA’s next chapter,” said Terry Bagley, chair of the Agency’s Search Committee. 

Volunteers of America Minnesota/Wisconsin

MINNEAPOLIS, MN: Paula Hart, President & CEO of Volunteers of America Minnesota/Wisconsin, retired this month and plans to move to live near family in Texas. Her successor will be named at a later date.

During her eight-year tenure as President & CEO, the agency had two mergers—first with Amicus and later with VOA Wisconsin—and grew to serve more than 25,000 people in over 110 locations with 800 employees and 1,400 volunteers.

“Being in the role of President and Chief Executive Officer has allowed me to live out my faith in service to creating communities that uplift all lives,” said Hart. “Every day I have been inspired by the stories of the people we serve and humbled by the dedication of my colleagues throughout the organization. Whatever I do and wherever I go, Volunteers of America will always be in my heart and I leave knowing it is on an exciting path toward the future.”

Prior to joining VOA, Hart held key leadership roles for two other Minnesota nonprofits, including President & CEO of Dakota Communities (now Living Well Disability Services) and Chief Operating Officer of Courage Center. Paula served two terms on the ANCOR Board of Directors and is an ANCOR Foundation Legacy Leader.

Volunteers of America Greater Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, LA: Volunteers of America Greater Baton Rouge is pleased to announce that the agency’s Board of Directors selected David Kneipp to be the organization’s new President & Chief Executive Officer, effective August 22, 2019. Kneipp will lead programs in a 19-parish area serving over 23,000 people in South Louisiana.

“I feel extremely privileged to have been selected as the next leader of Volunteers of America Greater Baton Rouge and look forward to getting started.,” Kniepp said of his recent appointment. “I believe the key to success includes working with passion and enthusiasm, watching your moral compass, and always treating people with respect and dignity. I look forward to serving our community and advancing VOAGBR’s impactful work.”

Kneipp has extensive leadership experience and expertise in finance and operations for both non-profit and for-profit organizations, including with Guaranty Bank and Our Lady of Mercy Parish, among others. His caring spirit and firm values have made him a respected man of faith and a strong leader in this community.

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Have news about retirements, appointments, celebrations, mergers, acquisitions and more? Email items for Comings & Goings to Jerri McCandless at [email protected].