UNITED WAY OF KENTUCKY HIRES NEW PRESIDENT, SOUTHERN KY EXECUTIVE

The United Way of Kentucky (UWKY) Board of Directors concluded a three-month long search by selecting Douglas E. Eberhart as UWKY's new President and CEO, to replace Terry S. Tolan, who announced her resignation earlier this year.

Helen Carroll, UWKY Board Chair, enthusiastically introduced Eberhart as the new President to the UWKY membership in a letter earlier today.   "We are excited that 'one of our own' has been named our new state president," said Carroll, Manager of Community Relations for Toyota Motor Manufacturing.  "Having the experience of leading one of Kentucky's 22 local United Ways, Doug brings a unique perspective that will be beneficial in providing support to those local organizations as president of UWKY.  My sincere thanks to the Search Committee, chaired by Phil Osborne, for the time, energy and due diligence to choose the leader that will lead us into the future."  

Eberhart is joining the UWKY staff from within its membership, and is known to his peers as a dedicated leader.  He has served on the UWKY Board of Directors since 2004, representing the interests of local United Ways and their communities as the United Way Professionals Council representative on the Executive Committee.  He has worked as the President and CEO of United Way of Southern Kentucky since January 2002, and served as Vice President of Planning and Community Services for United Way of Bradley County, TN prior to moving to Kentucky.

As he has shown throughout his career, beginning as a District Executive for the Cherokee Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Eberhart brings with him a commitment to fostering positive community change.  He is eager to seek out new ways that United Way can serve the Commonwealth.  "I am honored and humbled to have been chosen for this job," said Eberhart, "I look forward to expanding the reach and impact of the United Way system in Kentucky, while building on the many successes of the past."

Eberhart's experience working with organizations and community leaders will be an asset in his new role.  He says that his strength in facilitating and convening community stakeholders around shared interests and promoting collaborative problem solving will make the transition to new leadership an easy one for the organization.  Carroll agrees.  "Doug's history with UWKY and his relationships with community leadership, both in Bowling Green and across the Commonwealth, make him the ideal choice to advance UWKY's efforts in member services, advocacy, and public policy. The UWKY Board is impressed with his ability to articulate the important role that United Way organizations - both large and small - play in our state."

United Way of Kentucky is a statewide volunteer-based association that aligns resources to advance the education, income and health of all Kentuckians by building local United Way capacity and strengthening a statewide network of community organizations.  UWKY is the administrator of the Kentucky Employees Charitable Campaign.  For more information on United Way's work in your community, contact your local United Way or visit www.uwky.org.