Dear friends of United Way,

The impact work we do is a partnership – a shared effort between United Way, community agencies and you. Whatever good we accomplish, we accomplish together. In the spirit of that partnership, I’m committed to keeping you informed of changes to our organization.

After a great deal of thought, President and CEO Mike Larson has made a personal decision to leave United Way and pursue new career opportunities. This is entirely his choice, something he’s been considering for a while. Now, given the strength and focus of the organization, he believes the time is right to make this change.

The entire Board thanks Mike for his many years of service and leadership. He has been a strong guiding force through the merger and the development of our vision, mission and impact goals. We’re deeply grateful for all he has done for United Way and our regional community.

The Board will conduct an executive search for Mike’s replacement. We believe we must do our due diligence to make sure we look at every leadership scenario for the important work ahead.

Meanwhile, we’re thrilled that Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Sargent will serve as Interim CEO. Chris is a proven leader and a tireless advocate for United Way, our region and our impact strategy. He’ll continue to provide steady leadership during the transition. At the same time, Mike will remain in a strategic advisory role through the end of December.

Below is the text of a news release we will issue today. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at directly (269-660-9290, ext. 101 office; 269-420-1647 cell; estewart@stewartindustriesusa.com).

Please know that United Way, the Board of Directors and I personally appreciate your continued support and all you do for our community.

Erick Stewart

President, Stewart Industries

Chair, UWBCKR Board of Directors

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United Way Begins Leadership Transition

BATTLE CREEK and KALAMAZOO, Michigan [Oct. 24, 2016] — United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region (UWBCKR) will pursue a formal search for a new chief executive officer while maintaining the positive momentum of its new regional impact strategy, according to the organization’s board chair.

UWBCKR announced that President and CEO Michael Larson has made a personal decision to leave the organization and explore new career opportunities. Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Sargent was named Interim CEO. Larson will remain with UWBCKR through December in a strategic advisory role to aid with the transition.

“We’ve forged strong partnerships to address critical issues in education, income, health and basic needs. It’s crucial that we maintain, and even accelerate, that pace of positive change,” said Erick Stewart, President of Stewart Industries and chair of UWBCKR’s Board of Directors.

“By conducting a formal executive search, we’re doing our due diligence to make sure we look at every leadership scenario for the important work ahead,” Stewart added.

Stewart praised Larson for directing United Way through its transformation. “Mike led the United Way of Greater Battle Creek, then the Greater Kalamazoo United Way, giving him the insight to guide the merger that brought those organizations together,” Stewart said. “He also served as a vital voice in developing UWBCKR’s regional impact strategy. We owe Mike a debt of gratitude for focusing our community on addressing the biggest needs in meaningful, sustainable ways.”

UWBCKR unveiled a new vision, mission and set of impact goals earlier this year. The goals focus on specific, measurable results that include improving high school graduation rates, increasing the number of economically stable households, improving family and infant health, ensuring a safety net for people in need, and addressing economic and racial disparities.  The organization recently announced $6.03 million in funding to 88 programs throughout the region. Details are available at UWBCKR’s website, www.changethestory.org.

With merger integration complete and the regional impact strategy in place, Larson said the time is right to move on.

“This region and this United Way are jewels of compassion and commitment for all people to succeed,” said Larson. “To have been part of this work, to achieve what we’ve achieved collectively, is deeply rewarding. For me personally, as I look at the strength and focus of United Way as well as the years remaining in my working life, I believe the time is now for me to pass the baton and explore a new career path.”

Larson became President and CEO of UWBCKR in 2012 with the merger the United Ways in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. Prior to that, he was president & CEO of the Kalamazoo organization, taking that role in 2009 after a decade leading the Battle Creek organization.

Serving as UWBCKR’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since the 2012 merger, Sargent previously led United Way of Greater Battle Creek as president and CEO since 2009. He has worked with the organization since 2004, including as Vice President of Resource Development from 2007 to 2009 before becoming CEO.

Stewart said the board is thrilled that Sargent will take on the Interim CEO role. “Chris is a tireless champion for United Way, our region and our impact strategy,” said Stewart. “He’ll provide steady, proven leadership in the important months ahead.”