KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The merger of three United Ways based in south and mid-Michigan became official on Friday, April 1, in which officials say will offer exciting new opportunities to the region while strengthening local impact. On Tuesday, April 5, what is now called the new United Way of South Central Michigan announced its board members, board officers and executive leadership.
United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI) brings together Capital Area United Way (CAUW), United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region (UWBCKR) and United Way of Jackson County (UWJC). The new organization will partner locally and regionally on community impact efforts across six counties—Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson and Kalamazoo.
The boards of directors for the legacy United Ways voted in favor of merging back on January 24 after an in-depth, two-year evaluation of potential benefits to local and regional communities.
UWSCMI’s 36-member board of directors includes 12 representatives from each of the legacy United Ways’ previous boards. The new board met on Tuesday, April 5, for the first time as a merged organization and made three key appointments:
- Chris Sargent was named President and Chief Executive Officer. Sargent had been President and CEO of UWBCKR since 2017. Between 2012-2017, he was UWBCKR’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He also helped lead the merger of United Way of Greater Battle Creek, where he was had been President and CEO, and Greater Kalamazoo United Way in 2012.
- Teresa Kmetz will serve as Chief Resource Development and Marketing Officer. She had been President and CEO of CAUW since 2008. Kmetz has been with CAUW since 2001.
- Ken Toll was named Chief Operations Officer. He had been serving as President and CEO of UWJC since 2006.
The UWSCMI board also announced its officers for the year (previous United Way board role is noted in parentheses):
- L. Robert McConnell (CAUW), Board Chair
- James Liggins Jr. (UWBCKR), Immediate Past Chair
- James Johnson Jr. (UWJC), 1st Vice Chair
- Carla Thompson Payton (UWBCKR), 2nd Vice Chair
- Erik Decker (CAUW), Treasurer
- Conner Wood (UWJC), Secretary
A complete list of board members is available at unitedforscmi.org/board-of-directors.
In addition, the board unanimously passed a Resolution of Recognition honoring the 60-member staff of the combined United Ways.
Learn more about the new United Way of South Central Michigan at www.unitedforscmi.org.
