United Way of Central Virginia has hired Marie Martin as its new president and CEO, the agency announced Thursday.
She has lived in Lynchburg for 11 years and has volunteered for several organizations in the region. Her husband, Jim Martin, is a Ward I candidate for City Council.
She will officially take the reins at United Way on May 5, said Susan Harrison, interim director.
The organization’s previous CEO, Marc Jordan, was hired in January as president of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Harrison, along with interim senior adviser Pete Warren, filled Jordan’s role beginning in February while the board of directors searched for a permanent replacement.
Martin said several people approached her at that time and asked her to apply.
She said she enjoys working with nonprofit organizations. She found United Way attractive because it tracks the dollars it gives out, she said.
Martin has served on the board of directors for several local nonprofit organizations, such as Amazement Square and the Adult Care Center of Central Virginia.
She also serves on the Lynchburg City Schools Education Foundation board and belongs to several service organizations.
Her commitment to serving nonprofit groups was a key part of the decision to hire her.
In a news release, United Way of Central Virginia chairman John Fees said, “It is her strength and experience as a community leader with both businesses and nonprofits that made Marie the best match to help lead United Way.”
Bob Chapman, president and CEO of Bank of the James, is heading up United Way’s fundraiser this year and also served on the committee that hired Martin.
“I’m certainly very excited and looking forward to working with Marie,” he said. “I’m certain that she will be a real asset to United Way of Central Virginia.”
Martin said her new position with United Way might require her to resign from some organizations in which she serves to avoid conflicts of interest.
Martin said she looks forward to the opportunity to work with more organizations and companies through United Way.
“It’s an exciting time to be going to work for United Way, because United Way is making a lot of changes, and they’re going to be good changes,” Martin said.
She said one of those changes is to find a way to give more than just monetary support to local charitable groups, she said.
Also, “there are a lot of wonderful companies that support United Way. What I hope to do is form a really good relationship with these companies,” she said.
Harrison said United Way of Central Virginia has 14 employees.
Harrison said she plans to go back into retirement. She was formerly the executive director of Lynchburg’s YWCA for eight years.
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