North Coast Opportunities, Inc. Begins Search for New Chief Executive Officer

Local Community Action Agency seeks applicants for leadership role to serve Lake and Mendocino Counties

With the end of the year retirement announcement from long standing Chief Executive Officer Patty Bruder, the Governing Board of North Coast Opportunities, Inc. (NCO) has begun its search for a dynamic CEO to lead the multi-county community action agency.

Bruder, who has been with NCO for 35 years, fifteen as CEO, is enthusiastic about the future of NCO. “I have loved my work at NCO over the years and know that this team is poised to take the agency to new heights.” She continues, “I want to say to prospective applicants that this is the challenge you’ve been waiting for, an opportunity to put your ideals into action, exercise your creativity, lead and develop a team committed to a more equitable and just community, and work independently, with the support of a dedicated board of directors. All of this based in beautiful northern California.”

NCO is a member of the national Community Action Partnership with a primary service area that includes Lake and Mendocino Counties. Established in 1968 as part of President Johnson's War on Poverty, NCO continues to focus on its mission of assisting low-income and disadvantaged people to become self-reliant. With 250 staff and an annual budget of $34.7 million, NCO has grown its portfolio of programs which include food, childcare, housing, emergency services as well as workforce and economic development.

Through a recent strategic planning effort, the Board, Leadership and Staff at NCO created a statement of organizational priorities that guide their work.

• We focus our energy for the greatest impact: We collaborate and respond to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.
• We learn from challenge and change: We look for opportunities to innovate and forge new paths.
• We demonstrate respect and integrity: We treat individuals - including their ideas and expressions - with dignity, honesty, and fairness.
• We foster excellence and resiliency: We value our dedicated teams that provide high-quality services, and we commit to offering opportunities that build and maintain resilience in our people and those we serve.
• We honor justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging: We welcome every opportunity to enrich our organization and our work with the experiences and perspectives that are expressed through each person’s race, culture, religion, mental or physical abilities, heritage, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Recruitment will continue through the summer months with an anticipated transition period concluding by the end of the year. Those interested in learning more about the role are encouraged to read the full job posting at www.ncoinc.org/join-our-team

The NCO Governing Board consists of representatives from Lake and Mendocino counties: Maria Dahlin, Chair; Shannon Kimbell-Auth, Vice Chair; Jeff Tyrrell, Secretary; John Goldsmith, Treasurer; John McCowen, David Riemenschneider, Jake Burgess, Candace Lowe, Jeff Lucas, Jessica Pyska, Lisa Judd, Dianna Facundo-Perez.