Partnership Announces a Change in Leadership

REDMOND, OR (August 25, 2010) - The Board of Directors of Partnership to End Poverty (The Partnership), a regional nonprofit whose mission is to bring innovative, long-term solutions to poverty, announce a change in its leadership.

Executive Director, Jim Schell, will be stepping down effective September 1, 2010. The Partnership’s current Director of Policy, Scott Cooper, will assume the reins of the organization in Schell’s place.

Schell has decided to step down from the top position in order to devote his time to development and fund raising efforts for the organization. He has been the Executive Director of The Partnership since the fall of 2007. With a strong background in business, Schell was hired by the Board of Directors time with a directive to find a new direction for the organization. At the time, The Partnership, formerly known as the Central Oregon Partnership, was in the midst of reorganizing into a centralized nonprofit with a regional perspective.

“We have done what needed to be done at that time,” said Schell. “We took a formula that wasn’t working for a number of reasons and recreated The Partnership into a strong, regional organization that is known as a leader in the community. Now it is time for a new leader to take the next steps in our organizational growth.”

Cooper brings a wealth of experience to his new position. He has been with The Partnership for a year and half. He is well known in the region as the former County Judge of Crook County, among numerous other posts he has held. His background includes service and leadership of various state appointed boards and commissions and local and regional non-profit organizations, including his current governor-appointed position to the Oregon Commission on Children & Families.
At various times in his career, Cooper has been involved in workforce development, economic development, K-12 education, higher education, healthcare for low-income families, mental health and assistance to persons with disabilities, childcare, affordable housing, transportation and veterans services, all of which tie directly to poverty alleviation. He has testified before congressional committees, committees of the Oregon legislature and various state boards, committees and commissions, and has been actively involved with service organizations.

“Regionwide, nearly 60,000 people live below the federal poverty line or are at immediate risk of poverty in Central Oregon,.” Cooper said. “Poverty touches every one of our communities and continuing poverty touches on every segment of community life, including business, government, education, non-profit and faith. I’m honored to be asked to build on the great work The Partnership and its board and staff have already started to take the organization to the next level.”

“We thank Jim for his past leadership and continued involvement with the Partnership.” said Alicia Moore, Board Chair for The Partnership. “His efforts have helped make a positive difference in the lives of many throughout Central Oregon, and the entire board is confident in Scott’s ability to build upon and strengthen these efforts even more.”

Click here for a PDF of the release

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