November 15, 2001 | Read Time: 2 minutes
United Way of America has chosen a United Way official from Ohio, Brian A. Gallagher, to be its new chief executive officer.
Mr. Gallagher, president of United Way of Central Ohio, in Columbus, succeeds Betty S. Beene.
United Way leaders across the country were informed of the appointment in an e-mail alert sent by Ellie Ferdon, chairwoman of the Board of Governors of United Way of America. “Brian is a well-known and highly respected leader,” wrote Ms. Ferdon.
In its 2000-1 campaign, the Columbus United Way raised more than $51-million, an increase of 11.6 percent over the previous campaign. Nationwide, the campaigns grew just 0.4 percent after taking inflation into account.
Mr. Gallagher takes over leadership of United Way at a time when the organization faces big challenges, in part because of the faltering economy.
United Ways are also concerned that many donors who gave to charities working on the September 11 recovery efforts may reduce the size of their gifts to nonprofit groups they supported in previous years.
Ms. Beene, who became president of United Way of America in January 1997, announced her resignation in summer 2000, saying she would depart within 18 months after she supervised an orderly leadership transition and a review of the organization’s governance structure and its relationship with the 1,400 local United Ways.
In fall 2000, Ms. Beene said she planned to leave in January 2001. That announcement came as several large United Ways withheld dues during the summer to show their displeasure with her leadership.
Tensions had been rising over how much control United Way of America should have over local United Ways.
Ms. Beene had advocated a more-centralized system, in which the United Way of America would take the lead on issues that affect all the local United Ways. Her critics favored the current system, which allows the local United Ways to make most decisions.
