The United Way of the Flint Hills is now looking for a new executive director.
Jami Reever, the director since 2009, is resigning effective Sept. 25 as she takes a position with a statewide nonprofit organization at the end of September. She tells KVOE News this was one of the toughest decisions of her life.
Board Chair Kim Parks thanked Reever for her commitment and passion, saying she worked tirelessly for the United Way and “helped us reach even greater heights as an organization.”
Reever has led the United Way through 10 fundraising campaigns and departs with the 2019 campaign in the early stages. Drive chair and KVOE General Manager Ron Thomas says he’s grateful for Reever’s leadership.
Thomas also says the current “Live Local, Give Local” campaign has had “a very good start,” and the United Way is committed to supporting the 23 community partners and the thousands of people served in the United Way’s eight-county coverage area. For her part, Reever said she believes the current drive will be successful, thanks to the efforts of Thomas, the United Way board, Community Impact Manager Hannah Crowl and the community.
During Reever’s time, she was vitally involved in leading long-term recovery efforts after the Reading tornado in 2011. Reever tells KVOE News it was important for her and the United Way board to demonstrate its community and area impact.
Reever also launched the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, one of the United Way’s most popular programs, and ensured its funding through 2023. She also worked with Emporia Public Schools to acquire the Meal Spot food truck. Reever has also worked with the United Ways of Kansas State Association and United Way Worldwide on advocacy and public policy matters.
Reever’s husband, Kim Simons, is a professor at Emporia State University, and Reever says the family — including two teenaged boys — will live in Emporia while she commutes to her new job.
The United Way Board of Trustees has activated a succession plan and expects to name an interim director within two weeks. A formal search will begin soon.
Noon Thursday: United Way Director Jami Reever resigns
United Way of the Flint Hills Executive Director Jami Reever has resigned.
Reever, who has led the United Way since 2009, is joining a statewide nonprofit organization at the end of September. Her resignation is effective Sept. 25.
Reever has led the United Way through 10 fundraising campaigns and departs with the 2019 campaign in the early stages. During her time, she was vitally involved in leading long-term recovery efforts after the Reading tornado in 2011. She also launched the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, one of the United Way’s most popular programs, and ensured its funding through 2023. She also worked with Emporia Public Schools to acquire the Meal Spot food truck. Reever has also worked with the United Ways of Kansas State Association and United Way Worldwide on advocacy and public policy matters.
Reever says she loved her time with the United Way and working with community partners, donors, volunteers and the United Way’s Board of Directors. Board Chair Kim Parks thanked Reever for her commitment and passion, saying she worked tirelessly for the United Way and “helped us reach even greater heights as an organization.” Parks also expressed confidence about the campaign that started earlier this month, saying, “We are still very much focused on running a successful 2019-2020 campaign and are confident that our drive chair, Ron Thomas, will lead us to success this year.”
The United Way Board of Trustees has activated a succession plan and expects to name an interim director within two weeks. A formal search will begin soon.
