Community Action Southwest names new vice president of operations
Darlene J. Bigler, Chief Executive Officer of Community Action Southwest, recently announced that Jeff Fondelier was named the agency’s vice president of operations. Fondelier has been with the organization since 2004, serving as the Director of the Family Development Department, which delivered varied and services involving family literacy, education, focus on family as the primary caregiver and housing services. In August of 2008, he was named Director of the Family Economic Success Department for both Greene and Washington counties, making him responsible for leading services and programs aiding the homeless, work preparedness, savings programs and tax assistance as well as rent and utility assistance in addition to his previous tasks.
Fondelier will now be accountable for program development and oversight, fund development and community relations, staff supervision, organizational development and management as well as relationship building with funding sources, human service and community organizations and private sector partners.
Having worked in the nonprofit sector since 1990, he has served numerous populations in various capacities. Before joining Community Action Southwest, he supervised an Intensive Case Management Program in Allegheny County for eight years. His direct care experience is in mental health and mental retardation community supports, and in residential placement for socially and emotionally troubled adolescents.
Fondelier holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, as well as a Master’s in Nonprofit Management from Robert Morris University.
He serves as a board member for the Southwest Regional Homeless Advisory Board; Southwest Region Professional Development Advisory Board, and the Early Head Start Advisory Board. In addition, he is on the steering committee for Greene County MAGIC; he chairs the Southwestern PA Adult Basic & Literacy Education Coalition, as well as the Greene County Housing Options Partnership.
“I am deeply honored to be given the opportunity to serve Community Action Southwest as its vice president of operations,” Fondelier said.
“I intend to ensure that the vision of the organization is pursued with sincere enthusiasm, and that our agenda to end poverty in our community is at the heart of our service delivery. I am consistently impressed by the passion with which the staff of this organization battles the paradox of the existence of poverty in the midst of plenty.”