COMMUNITY Summer 2010
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From the Board Chair
The last year has been one of change for the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation (GCRCF), as it has been for many in this community since the 2008 Ron Olson flood. The 2010 Board Chair Community Foundation continues to work with many flood-affected nonprofits, they moved from its own flood-affected building to a new location in late June and we are transitioning to new leadership for the Foundation. On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the GCRCF staff members for their dedication and hard work during this time of change. I would like to especially thank Karla Twedt-Ball for her willingness to serve as the interim president and CEO of the Community Foundation in addition to her duties as vice president of programs. She has done an outstanding job during this period of transition. In January when the CEO search committee initiated the process of determining who the next president and chief executive officer of the GCRCF might be, we knew that the Community Foundation had attained the status of a continued on page 3
major foundation with nearly $100 million in assets and could, therefore, attract a highly-skilled and successful individual. The committee was prepared to conduct a national search, knowing this position would attract the caliber of person needed to guide the Community Foundation through the next phase of its growth. The committee determined that this person must have an exemplary track record in establishing relationships with people in all socio-economic groups; be someone who has had success in shaping and implementing resource development strategies; be someone who is experienced in creating meaningful alliances with the nonprofit community, individuals, and corporations; be someone who possesses a high level of understanding of financial investments; is energetic, diplomatic and is recognized as a proven leader; and is recognized for integrity in the workplace and community. Fortunately for the GCRCF and this community we did not have to look far from home. Les Garner not only fit the mold for the ideal candidate for which we were looking as described above, he came to us as a locally well-known and proven community leader of the highest integrity. We are pleased to welcome Les Garner who most recently served as president of Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, for the past 16 years. During his tenure, he created a strategic plan for the college’s future that
Meet and Greet Les Garner
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation proudly welcomes Les Garner as our new president & CEO. We hope you’ll join us for a welcome reception for Les and to see our new home at the Torch Press building in downtown Cedar Rapids. Tuesday, August 31, 2010 4 to 7 p.m. The Torch Press building 324 3rd St SE in downtown Cedar Rapids Remarks at 5:30 p.m. Light appetizers and beverages will be served. Parking is available street side or in nearby parkades. To RSVP online, visit www.gcrcf.org or contact Amber Mulnik at amber.mulnik@gcrcf.org or 319.366.2862.