United Way chief to retire

Executive Director Bill Harper says he will retire on Nov. 27 after 9 1/2 years in the role

“I just felt it was the right time,” he said. “It’s the right time, and I’ve always believed in not overstaying your time. “I think we’ve been able to accomplish some good things, but it’s time for someone else to try their hand at it.” Harper, 64, said his wife, Pam, retired after 30 years as a special education teacher, and

“It’s the right time, and I’ve always believed in not overstaying your time.”

— United Way Executive Director Bill Harper

The leader of United Way of Greater Lorain County announced March 6 he will step down later this year. United Way Executive Director Bill Harper said he will retire Nov. 27. Harper spent about 9½ years leading the agency, which raises money and coordinates programs to improve health, education and financial stability. they want to spend more time together. He said he plans to volunteer locally, but likely will remain behind the scenes on projects. United Way of Greater Lorain County has 10 positions and a $3 million annual budget, including its own operations and money distributed to

other agencies. Revenue includes local donations and grants. The agency served almost 16,000 children, individuals and families in 2018, not counting about 35,000 telephone calls and online contacts for the 2-1-1 First Call for Help service, according to United Way figures.

New model

During his tenure, Harper said the board and staff took a hard look at United Way’s mission for the community. They transformed it to a new business model that focused on “united,” bringing people together to solve problems that no single person could do, he said. It is a “community impact” model that uses collaboratives between local nonprofits and businesses to create partnerships and programs to improve the community, Harper said. The process involved listening to donors and experts about what would be helpful in the community, he said. United Way still has advisory councils for education, health and financial stability. Partner agencies and groups have grown from 30 to more than 160, Harper said. United Way’s website includes 11 community collaboratives, including health and wellness programs for children and adults in Lorain, Elyria, North Ridgeville, Oberlin and the southern townships of Lorain County. The United We Sweat program offers free physical activity programs around the county and has grown since starting in 2011. United Way Marketing and Engagement Director Ryan Aroney and board President Keith Brown agreed the change in approach was needed to push through more progress in the community. “The impact that Bill has had and the staff has had with the collaboratives is tremendous, and we want to continue that success,” said Brown, who also is director of human resources and organizational development for Lorain County Community College. Although he is the executive director, Harper said United Way’s success stems from its board of directors and staff, including Aroney, Finance Director Dianne Brehm, Marketing and Community Impact Director Christine Matusik-Plas. “It wasn’t me, it was really the whole organization and the community supporting it,” Harper said. “It all starts with the board. “We have a wonderful board of directors from all over the community, I’m really proud of that. And then we’ve been able to get a great staff together. We have a small staff but a great work ethic.” Under Harper’s leadership, United Way purchased and renovated an 8,064-square-foot building located at 642 Broadway in downtown Lorain. The move saved the agency money, increased the office’s visibility and accessibility, and positioned United Way to be a part of revitalization plans in downtown Lorain, officials said. The board wrestled with the decision to move for some time before making that change, Brown said. “With the resurgence of Lorain, we wanted to be a part of that,” he said.

National search

United Way of Greater Lorain County will have a national search to find a new director, Brown said. Lorain County has talented leaders and the board expects to have local applicants for the post, he said. The next executive director must keep the organization financially sound and is a proven leader in the nonprofit sector, Brown said. “Obviously, Bill is somebody that’s going to be difficult to replace,” he said. “One of the things that the board did was, we took a look at what we wanted as a leader. “Obviously, we want to continue that collaborative spirit with the collective impact model.” The search will start this month. United Way hopes to have as many strong candidates as possible, with a new director possibly named in June to spend time with Harper in transition, Brown said. United Way currently has openings on its board of directors, he said.

More information is available at uwloraincounty.org.