Mike King Named New National President and CEO
For Immediate Release:
May 17, 2010
Contact:
David Burch, Volunteers of America
(703) 341-5054 or dburch@voa.org
ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 17, 2010 – Volunteers of America, one of the nation’s oldest and largest human service organizations, announced today that Michael ("Mike") King has been named national president and chief executive officer. He will lead the 114 year-old faith-based organization as it continues to expand its existing services to needy Americans while also implementing a new strategy focused on innovative services for older people.
King succeeds Charles W. (“Chuck”) Gould, who will end his 15-year tenure as Volunteers of America’s national president at the end of his current five-year term on June 30. King was chosen for the position by a national selection committee – working with leading executive search firm Korn/Ferry International – that consisted of Volunteers of America national board members, ministers and four local office CEOs.
David Kikumoto, chairman of Volunteers of America’s national board, stated, “Mike has proven himself to be a tremendous leader, both within Volunteers of America and throughout his lengthy career dedicated to the nonprofit sector. He has expertly led one of Volunteers of America’s fastest-growing local offices, located in one of the largest, most diverse states in the nation. Mike has a drive and an entrepreneurial spirit that will help Volunteers of America continue to grow and strengthen on a national level.”
“I believe Volunteers of America has a bright future and is well positioned to impact lives and nurture a culture of compassion and renewal,” added King. “This is a critical time in the history of Volunteers of America and all human service organizations. Today as much as ever, it is crucial that we identify innovative and effective solutions to tackle the ever-changing challenges faced by society’s most vulnerable citizens.”
Since 2005, King has served as CEO of Volunteers of America Texas, based in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and one of the organization’s 38 local offices. The Texas organization provides services throughout the state – with an emphasis on low-income families and youths, developmentally disabled clients and those recovering from substance abuse – with regional offices in Houston, Austin and San Antonio. In this role, King oversees a statewide operation with an annual budget of more than $30 million and 550 employees.
King has more than 35 years experience working as a leader in the nonprofit sector. He has previously held executive positions with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, the Volunteer Center of Dallas, ChildCareGroup and Volunteer – The National Center. King has served as a facilitator of leadership training for Hewlett Packard, and has also served on the faculty of both the University of Colorado and the Institute for Advanced Volunteer Management in the United Kingdom.
King holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Christian University, and a Masters degree in civic affairs from the University of Dallas. He is also a minister with the Disciples of Christ, Christian Church. In addition, King is a past recipient of the President’s Outstanding Volunteer Action Award, presented to him by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. He won the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Speaker of the Year Award in 2003.
King’s arrival comes as Volunteers of America embarks on a new organizational direction called “Aging with OptionsTM,” focused on changing the current health care system and providing new housing and care options for seniors. The cornerstone of Aging with Options is the establishment of new and innovative home and community-based care options that allow older Americans the freedom to receive care while living at home. Aging with Options builds on Volunteers of America’s existing services and housing for seniors, which have been a part of the organization since its founding in 1896. In the United States today, Volunteers of America is one of the largest nonprofit providers of affordable senior housing, and is among the largest providers of skilled nursing care and assisted living for seniors. The organization is also in launching a new Family Strengthening initiative aimed at helping children and families with incarcerated parents.
Volunteers of America holds the highest ranking from nonprofit watchdog Charity Navigator, meets the Standards for Charity Accountability from the Better Business Bureau and holds the BBB Wise Giving Alliance National Charity Seal.