The Board of Directors of Family Promise of Blount County has begun the search for a new Executive Director. Caroline Lamar, the current Executive Director, has accepted a regional leadership position with the Family Promise national office. Lamar will be providing regional leadership and support to Family Promise affiliates throughout the Southeast, including the Blount County affiliate. Lamar’s last day is May 10, 2022.
During the transition time, April Smith will serve as Acting Director. Smith has been the Program Coordinator for Family Promise of Blount County since 2015.
“We greatly appreciate Caroline’s investment over the past two years as Executive Director and her previous three years as a Board member,” said Tonya Campbell, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Under her leadership, we helped dozens of families experiencing homelessness have safe housing while navigating a world-wide pandemic. We also established the Second Chance Thrift Store and expanded our outreach to provide prevention services so families could maintain their housing.”
Karen Hobby, past Board chair and current chair of the personnel committee, added, “While we will miss Caroline, we appreciate her passionate investment and all she will continue to do for us. We are blessed to know that many other Family Promise affiliates will now also benefit from her knowledge and leadership.”
The Board has appointed a hiring committee who is currently reviewing resume submissions from across the nation. The committee will complete first round interviews in mid-May, followed by second round interviews at the end of May 2022. Third round interviews with the Board of Directors and staff are planned for the first week of June 2022, with a final candidate offer planned for mid-June 2022. The new executive director is expected to start by end of June 2022.
Family Promise of Blount County provides shelter, transitional housing, prevention services, transportation programs, and assistance for families with children who are experiencing homelessness. The Second Chance Thrift Store is operated by Family Promise to provide income for the programs. In operation for over 12 years, Family Promise has served over 350 families in the Blount County area. For more information about Family Promise or to apply for the open Executive Director position, visit blountfamilypromise.org. For more information about Family Promise, visit familypromise.org.
