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Foster Campus names CEO [Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky. :: ](Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, KY) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) July 31--Carrie Schofield Blackham will become the next chief operating officer for Wendell Foster's Campus for Disabilities on Sept. 1, replacing Terry Brownson, who is retiring. The center's board made the announcement Wednesday. Blackham, 47, has worked 11 years for Audubon Area Community Services, where she now serves as director of family assistance services. In that role she administers 15 programs including three for employment, refugee services, Owensboro Regional Recovery, kynect (help with signup for the Affordable Care Act) and others. "I've always been drawn to agencies that help people reach their potential," Blackham said Wednesday. "Wendell Foster has an excellent reputation for providing quality services and a top management team." Blackham said her first priority will be to continue the center's commitment to their mission of providing the highest quality services to the families served. She also is looking forward to working with the management team and board in exploring next steps for the campus. The new CEO earned a bachelor's degree in government from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green and a law degree from Western New England College School of Law in Springfield, Massachusetts. Bob Morris, chairman of Wendell Foster's Campus, said the board was looking for someone to replace Brownson, which would be a big task for anyone. "A second objective from the board's perspective was to find someone who will continue to make sure we are meeting the needs of the region," Morris said. The center has been providing care for individuals with disabilities for more than 68 years. Its residential and outpatient programs and the Kelly Autism and assistive technology programs are all growing, he said. "Wendell Foster Campus is much more than many people realize with these four programs," Morris said. "We want someone who can take us to the next level, and we think Carrie is the one." The board conducted a national search and looked at 32 applications, he said. The search committee of board and community members narrowed the candidates to eight, and through interviews, focused on four individuals. Blackham was the unanimous choice, he said. Brownson said he's known Blackham for a long time and is very pleased with the board's choice. "Carrie has tremendous experience in terms of wide and various human services programs and the funding mechanisms for those," Brownson said. "She also has demonstrated a lot of team-building and management skills in her career. With that, she is a really great fit to step in and move the campus up to the next level." Brownson said he will work out details with Blackham on the transition plan. "We had a management retreat recently and laid out all the things the new CEO would need to know and become familiar with," he said. "We'll go through that with her. Fortunately we have the luxury of my retiring -- but staying in town." Brownson, who has been the campus CEO for 10 years, announced his retirement in February. He said he had been planning to retire at age 67 -- and he really is retiring. "I'm close to buying a boat, and I'll be looking for references to great fishing holes," he said. Joy Campbell, 691-7299, [email protected] ___ (c)2014 the Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Ky.) Visit the Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Ky.) at www.messenger-inquirer.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |