River Bend Food Bank names new CEO
River Bend Food Bank is promoting Chris Ford of Milan as the new president and CEO effective July 1, 2024, taking over for Nancy Renkes.
Ford has worked at River Bend Food Bank since February 2021 and currently serves as the chief operating officer, according to a Wednesday morning release. He is a native of the Quad Cities area and brings 30 years of food industry experience to the table at River Bend. He began at the food bank in 2021 in a new role as food sourcing manager and has spent the last three years developing relationships both internally and externally in the organization.
“Each day as we work to provide food to those facing food insecurity, we might also be strengthening a relationship between family members or providing a sense of assurance that food will be available for a young set of parents nurturing, loving, and dreaming of a bright future for their children,” Ford said in the release. “I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to lead the River Bend Food Bank team and its thousands of supporters in the fight to end hunger.”
Renkes has served as president and CEO since October 2022, returning to River Bend after a two-year term as executive director at Feed My People Food Bank in Eau Claire, Wis. From 2015-2020, Renkes worked for River Bend as chief partnership officer.
After an inspiring career as a leader and fundraiser in the Quad Cities, Renkes plans to start a new season of life that continues her connection to all the work she has done in the non-profit community, while also giving her more time with family, the food bank said.
“The time I’ve spent in food banking has left a very special place in my heart. As I move into the next phase of my life and career, and transition this role to Chris, I reflect on the impact this organization has had on me. I appreciate how each and every day I get to educate, inspire, and feed another person experiencing hunger,” Renkes said.
“I am honored to have been a small piece of the Food Bank’s mission, but it is time for me to put a little more life in my ‘work/life balance’.’’
In announcing the changes, board chair Marie Ziegler said, “The food bank has been in excellent hands with Nancy at its helm. On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I want to thank her for her tireless efforts.
“As we transition to Chris as our new president and CEO, I have every confidence that he will carry on the mission that Nancy and the leadership team has accomplished in her time here. Chris brings an energy and perspective to the River Bend team that will ensure the dedicated staff and volunteers will continue to provide food to anyone who is food insecure.”
For more information, visit the food bank website HERE.
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