When Mike Benz, the current CEO and President of United Way of Greater Cleveland announced his plans to retire last September, it kicked off a local and national search for his replacement.
Today Paul Clark, PNC Bank Regional President and Chairman of United Way of Greater Cleveland’s board announced Benz’s replacement. Bill Litson has spent the last seven years as President and CEO of United Way of Greater Toledo, and prior to that held the same position at United Way of Champaign County in Illinois.
In a statement, Mr. Clark praised Mr. Kitson’s “innovative and dynamic leadership,” qualities he will no doubt draw upon as he sets out to fill Benz’s “large shoes” (Mr. Kitson’s words) and generate the $40 million or so a year that the Cleveland United Way branch raises. By comparison, United Way of Greater Toledo, which serves Lucas, Wood and Ottawa counties, raised $14 million annually.
When Cool Cleveland asked Mr. Kitson what was first on his agenda, he replied with one word, “Listen.” Kitson’s oldest son is graduating high school in Toledo and had already decided to attend Case Western Reserve University this Fall.
United Way of Greater Cleveland serves more than 405,000 Greater Clevelanders each year, some of them your neighbors. Over 80,000 donors contribute each year, and United Way supports 216 health and human service programs in six areas: Aging and Special Needs; Education, Children and Families; Community Health; Behavioral Health; Self Sufficiency and Basic Needs; and Capacity Building.
Text the word BETTER to 85944 and make a $10 donation to United Way that will be added to your monthly phone bill.
Live United.
http://www.UnitedWayCleveland.org