Food bank director leaves for new job.Byline: Susan Palmer The Register-Guard Food bank executive director Pat Farr announced on Monday that he's leaving the high-profile Eugene-based social services social services Noun, pl welfare services provided by local authorities or a state agency for people with particular social needs social services npl → servicios mpl sociales agency to take a job with a local consulting firm Noun 1. consulting firm - a firm of experts providing professional advice to an organization for a fee consulting company business firm, firm, house - the members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments; "he worked for a . FOOD for Lane County, the nonprofit A corporation or an association that conducts business for the benefit of the general public without shareholders and without a profit motive. Nonprofits are also called not-for-profit corporations. Nonprofit corporations are created according to state law. agency that provides food for financially struggling people, will soon name an interim director and begin a search for Farr's replacement, said Galen Ohmart, vice chairman of the board of directors. Farr took the helm of the agency in May 2004, after a rift between the board and Caroline Frengle, who founded the agency and served as executive director until the board fired her in 2003. The board and Frengle had clashed over programs and spending decisions. In 2004, Farr took on a financially troubled agency that often went into debt to cover its day-to-day operating expenses Operating expenses The amount paid for asset maintenance or the cost of doing business, excluding depreciation. Earnings are distributed after operating expenses are deducted. , and that recently had cut staff salaries in an effort to live within its means. Farr said he took the job with three goals in mind: to create financial stability, develop a strong staff and restore the agency's public image, which had suffered as the struggle between the board and Frengle was widely reported in the news. Today, the food bank has a cash reserve of about $230,000 and doesn't need to borrow to meet its obligations, Farr said. The staff of 42 is strong and has a good relationship with the board of directors, he said. Ohmart said the board had a couple of weeks' notice from Farr that he would be leaving. His last day was Friday and staff members were informed on Monday, Ohmart said. The board will meet Thursday to begin searching for an interim director who can take the helm for the six to nine months it will take to find a permanent replacement for Farr, he said. Under Farr's watch the agency kept spending below budget, became more transparent by posting its annual statements and board meeting minutes on its Web site, and hired a development director who worked closely with the board to increase fundraising, Ohmart said. That allowed the board to raise the pay of managers and staff to within the national norm for such organizations, Ohmart said. The agency has a $2 million annual budget and provided about $7 million worth of food last year. Farr's salary was $62,000. Ohmart characterized the split as amicable am·i·ca·ble adj. Characterized by or exhibiting friendliness or goodwill; friendly. [Middle English, from Late Latin am . "All transitions come with a sense of loss," he said. "We're going to miss Pat, but the board understands he needs to move on." Farr will be working for The Lindholm Co., a Eugene-based public affairs Those public information, command information, and community relations activities directed toward both the external and internal publics with interest in the Department of Defense. Also called PA. See also command information; community relations; public information. consulting firm, where he will do consulting work with nonprofit organizations Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. . Farr is well known in Eugene. He was a Republican state representative before quitting to take the FOOD for Lane County position, and before that had been a Eugene city councilor coun·cil·or also coun·cil·lor n. A member of a council, as one convened to advise a governor. See Usage Note at council. coun . |
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