New Leadership for Outreach International
The board of directors of Outreach International announces a reorganization
and addition to its executive leadership effective October 1, 2001. Executive
director, Russell R. Fletcher, will be joined in leadership by Dr. William T.
(Bill) Higdon in the newly created post of president. In addition to Dr. Higdon,
Dr. Matthew Naylor of Sydney, Australia, is expected to join the Outreach team
as director of development and will be charged with fundraising
responsibilities. Mark Tarwater will assume the role of director of
communications. Dr. Dennis Labayen will continue in his role as director of
field operations. These changes are part of a
strategic plan to perpetuate the organization’s growth.
Dr. Higdon brings to the international human development organization years
of leadership experience in fundraising and management. His career has provided
considerable opportunity for international travel and interaction with people of
various cultures. He was a full-time minister with Community of Christ beginning
in 1974 and retired as an appointee in 1992. His assignments
with the church included serving as director of field ministries, president of
the Council of Twelve Apostles, the Pacific Southwest Field, the Central Field,
Great Lakes Field, secretary of the Council of Twelve Apostles, director of the
Division of Program Planning and Administrative Services, Denver Stake,
Southwest Region. West Central States Region, American Indian Region, Latin
American Region, North Atlantic States Region, Upper Ohio Valley Region, North
Atlantic States Region, East Central States Region and president of Temple
School and from 1966-74 president of Graceland College after joining the faculty
as chairman of Department of Science and Mathematics in 1963.
Dr. Naylor has a master of theology degree from the University of Sydney and
a doctorate degree in Health Sciences from Curtin University in Perth. He has served
as president of the Australia Region of Community of Christ since 1996. Prior to
that, Dr. Naylor served as director of The Homestead, a community and
social support center in Perth, Australia.
“We are excited by the prospect of what this expanded leadership team can
bring to Outreach International,” says Fletcher. “Our significant existing
contribution to the human development field should only be increased as a result
of these changes.”
“One of my main goals for this organization will be to help expand its
capabilities of empowering people by strategically increasing its overall
financial base,” says Higdon. “There exists a solid foundation of faithful
constituent support that I know we can build upon.”
On Saturday, September 28, 2001, Professor Steven L. Anders, vice provost and
a dean of Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, was elected chairman of the
Outreach International board of directors. He will serve in this new role
through December 2002.
Outreach International is a human development agency striving to alleviate
the injustice of hunger, poverty and disease in the world by engaging people as
partners in their own development.
For Further Information Contact:
Mark Tarwater, Director of Communications
Tel: 816-833-0883, ext. 308
Fax: 816-833-0103
E-mail: mtarwater@hotmail.com
URL: www.outreach-international.org
