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My Take

Bye United Way

Mark McGee
Posted 8/6/22

It is hard to believe it was a little more than four years ago I was named executive director of United Way of Bedford County.  

It was a good job, and it came along at the right time for me. …

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My Take

Bye United Way

Posted

It is hard to believe it was a little more than four years ago I was named executive director of United Way of Bedford County.  

It was a good job, and it came along at the right time for me. I thank Joseph Forsee, Janet Clarkson, Bryan Nerren and the late Jonathan Price for selecting me.  

But with any job there is a time when you know it is time to go. That revelation came to me a couple of months ago and I submitted my resignation. Health issues made me realize you don’t know how much time you have left. I want to be able to do more things I enjoy.  

There were good moments and some disappointing moments during my tenure.  

COVID-19 brought so many changes in the way some companies do business. Some companies changed ownership and their priorities changed. Economic issues also became a factor.  

For all those companies, banks and industries that supported United Way of Bedford County during my four years I thank you. United Way of Bedford County helps a number of local organizations and all of the money raised stays in Bedford County.  

I appreciated the support from the board. Members moved on and new ones were added, but they all have had the desire to make Bedford County a better place to live.  

I don’t know what the board has planned for the future of United Way of Bedford County. Those decisions are out of my hands.  

Whatever they decide I would urge everyone to step up and contribute in both money and time to help make it successful.  

There are going to be changes which is inevitable whenever personnel leave an organization. Most of the events sponsored by United Way of Bedford County were already in place before I became executive director. I have already heard some innovative ideas expressed by some board members. I hope they will be able to see those to fruition successfully.  

While I hesitate to single out any person or business for fear of offending those not mentioned I have to make one exception. I was often a stranger in a strange land when it came to this job. Dawn Hobbs, a board member and a former executive director of United Way of Bedford County, guided me through the wilderness. I often joked I wanted to have a T-shirt made that said WWDD (What Would Dawn Do?). Thank you, Dawn for your guidance and patience.  

I am leaving this job, but I am not retiring. Writing has always been my passion and I plan to use the extra time I will have to expand on my work with the Times-Gazette, The Walking Horse Report and Lipscomb sports. com, the official website for Lipscomb University athletics. I will still be a co-host along with Neal Gordon and Gary Dearing of “Sports Saturday” on WDUC-FM, 93.9 “The Duck”. I also have a book or two I would like to complete.  

So, good-bye to United Way of Bedford County. Board chair Maleah Claxton has taken charge. I am confident whatever the board members decide the organization will thrive.