United Way names new Chairman

By Ashley Gardner

Texarkana Gazette

The United Way of Greater Texarkana has a new board chairman.

Nancy Keenan, a longtime United Way volunteer, has taken over as the board chairman for the organization after former board chairman and CEO of Wadley Regional Medical Center Mike Potter accepted a job at a Georgia hospital.

Keenan is the chief nursing executive for CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System and has been very active in St. Michael's efforts to raise money for the United Way in its internal campaign.

"Nancy is such a forward thinker. I'm very excited about her being board chair," said Mary Wormington, chief professional officer of the United Way. "I don't think we're going to lose any momentum in our goals for all aspects of the United Way in the next few years."

Keenan said she is excited about the opportunity to serve the United Way and her community.

"I've had a long-standing history with the United Way. ... It's kind of been a lifelong passion of mine.  I just feel its a really worthwhile organization and it supports organizations in the community that really need our assistance.  If you really visit and talk with them, they depend on United Way money so much."

Keenan pointed out how vital United Way dollars are to non-profit organizations because many agencies are able to multiply United Way funding.

"Some organizations take our money and make more money with it. ... Because they are a United Way-sponsored organization, they can turn that money into three times the amount of money with matching grants," she said.

Keenan is focused on next year's United Way campaign.

"Right now we're in the process of planning next year's campaign. ... Right now we're really working to see ... how we can maintain that million-dollar mark. That was a big deal.  We would like to maintain it-if not surpass it-and that will take a lot of planning and strategizing," Keenan said.

"We would like for those who give to give more, but what you really want to do is bring in new people, new businesses, new employees and new community members to help them understand the value of United Way and to make sure they understand their money is well utilized in the community."

Keenan will remain the United Way board chairman until March 2009.