Sandy Moore
A campaign to find her successor is already under way, according to Rick Platz, chairman of the JA of the Ocoee Region board of directors.
“For the past decade, Sandy has been the one constant in the success of Junior Achievement for the Ocoee Region,” Platz told the Cleveland Daily Banner. “Today, we reach 4,100 students in our five-county service area with much-needed programs in financial literacy, entrepreneurship and career awareness.”
Platz credited the local JA’s success to Moore’s longtime leadership and community vision.
“These accomplishments are a tribute to Sandy’s hard work and dedication,” the board chairman added.
Platz said an advertising search and campaign began late last week to find Moore’s successor. He pointed out the local JA operation hopes to have a new organizational president in place at least two weeks prior to Moore’s retirement date in order to assure a smooth transition.
JA’s Ocoee Region serves students in Bradley, McMinn, Monroe, Meigs and Polk counties.
“It has been a privilege and an honor to serve as president of this very important organization,” Moore said in her retirement notification to Platz and the JA board. “I truly believe the work we do makes a greater impact on the lives of young people than we may ever realize.”
She added in the letter, “I am proud of the many accomplishments and initiatives that we have made over the past 11 years. Please know that I will work with you to provide for a seamless transition of leadership.”
In a one-on-one interview at the Banner offices, Moore praised the work of Platz as board chairman and the volunteer group’s diligence and dedication in keeping the JA message alive, and in providing their own hours of volunteerism in a spectrum of Junior Achievement roles ranging from school classroom instructors to fundraising leaders.
An in-depth look at Junior Achievement — through Moore’s eyes based on two decades of experience — will be published in Tuesday’s edition of the Banner.
Similar to views voiced last December by Brenda Abel, retiring president and chief executive officer of United Way of Bradley County Inc., Moore said Junior Achievement — and all nonprofit organizations — face similar challenges. The biggest is competing for the same donor dollars whose pool appears to be shrinking.
In her retirement letter, Moore addressed the short- and long-term future of Junior Achievement.
“The next few years will be challenging for JA of the Ocoee Region — increased demand for programs in the outlying areas, increased need to recruit good volunteers, development of a much broader funding base and the implementation of new technologies,” she stressed in the retirement letter to Platz and board members. “I am certain you will find the right person to lead you in these endeavors.”
After spending much of her professional career with Junior Achievement, Moore said the decision to retire doesn’t come easily; yet, she realizes the time has come to dedicate more time to herself, her family and her grandchildren. She also plans to travel extensively, beginning with a trip to Europe in September.
Although she is saying goodbye to the paid leadership role, she isn’t abandoning the local organization. Moore will remain on board as an active volunteer and will concentrate much of her work in outlying areas like McMinn, Monroe and Meigs counties to help strengthen the JA message in those communities.
Her work with JA hasn’t been just about long hours and serving as a loyal partner to public education and local schools — especially to the Cleveland City and Bradley County School systems. She has made many friends along the way, as emphasized in her retirement letter.
“I greatly treasure the friendships I have made with the board members and I shall miss all of you,” she closed.
Moore was named president of Junior Achievement of the Ocoee Region in 2001. She began her JA career as executive director of Junior Achievement of Bradley & McMinn Counties in 1983. In 1985, she was named senior program manager of the JA affiliate in Charlotte, N.C., and two years later was promoted to vice president of operations for Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee. A family relocation to Florida in 1990 netted her the role of director of marketing for the JA affiliate in Cocoa Beach, Fla. The family returned to North Carolina in 1992, and Moore left the nonprofit world for several years prior to her selection to lead JA of the Ocoee Region in 2001.
The longtime civic servant is a graduate of the Junior Achievement Leadership Academy.
“I am so extremely proud to have been associated with Junior Achievement and the opportunities this has given me,” she said. “Over the years, JA has provided me the chance to meet and work with some incredible people, to travel and to participate in many diverse and groundbreaking initiatives, all of which have led to many memorable experiences.”
When she’s not on the road, or in the air, enjoying travels with her family and friends, Moore pledged to be on the ground continuing to promote the message of Junior Achievement.
In Tuesday’s edition of the Banner, Moore will reflect on her JA career and will speak openly about the challenges ahead for Junior Achievement and other nonprofit organizations.
JA Hiring Notes:
n The advertising process to identify the new president of JA of the Ocoee Region has already begun in the Cleveland and Bradley County area. According to an ad published in the Banner, as provided by the board of directors of JA of the Ocoee Region, applicants should submit by mail, email or fax, their resume, cover letter and salary requirements no later than June 28. If forwarded by mail, the job application information should be sent to: President Hiring (Cleveland, TN), One Education Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.
The information may be faxed to 719-540-6172.
Applicant information may be sent by email to: csohiring@ja.org (“Cleveland, TN” should be noted as the subject).
Text from the display ad identifies the requirements for the JA presidency.
“The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to economic education and have a demonstrated record of success in foundation and special-event fundraising, as well as strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills.”
It adds, “Diverse responsibilities also include include development, volunteer recruitment, staff management, strategic planning, and financial oversight and management. A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years of combined business and/or nonprofit leadership required. A CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) is a plus.”
