NEKCA names Jenna O’Farrell as executive director

Ellen Stanley, president of the board of directors for the Northeast Kingdom Community Action agency (NEKCA), announced that Jenna O’Farrell will take over as executive director of NEKCA in July of 2018. She replaces Joe Patrissi who will retire in July after first assuming the post in 2010.

He has embodied the mission of NEKCA, “To empower all generations in the Northeast Kingdom to grow, prosper, and thrive” through his clear leadership, strong advocacy, and true passion for community. The organization is grateful for his service.

“We are pleased that Jenna has accepted the top leadership position at NEKCA,” said Ms. Stanley. “Her leadership abilities, passion, experience, and advocacy for children, families and individuals in the Kingdom is perfectly matched to what we were looking for in an executive director. Her reputation for achieving excellence is well known. We feel fortunate we are able to have a leader of her caliber oversee the agency.”

NEKCA is a community action agency that has over 150 employees, an 8-million dollar budget, and multiple programs that include Head Start, early Head Start, micro-business, parent-child centers, youth services, court diversion, transitional housing for the homeless and corrections populations, crisis fuel, food shelves, and work force development, as well as others.

Ms. O’Farrell recently resigned as co-principal of the St. Johnsbury School. She has over 25 years of experience that encompasses early education, school administration, non-profit management, and leadership posts.

For more information, please contact Mr. Patrissi at [email protected]. — from NEKCA.