NEWS

 

Veteran Community Leader Brings Significant Non-Profit Leadership & Operational Experience to AJC 

DAVIDSON, NC – The Ada Jenkins Center (AJC) has announced that Harold E. Rice Jr. has been named CEO and a member of the board of directors, effective July 1, 2020. Rice succeeds Georgia Krueger who previously announced her retirement following a 12-year career with AJC.

“Harold brings a wealth of non-profit leadership and operational expertise to Ada Jenkins Center and has dedicated his entire career to ensuring that everyone has access to basic needs such as affordable housing, health care, financial literacy resources and educational services,” said Donna Turner, co-chair of the AJC board of directors. “Harold began his career as a social worker and has maintained his active community involvement throughout his personal and professional life. We are very excited to welcome him as our new leader at Ada Jenkins Center,” added Turner.

Rice currently serves as vice president and chief operating officer (COO) of Community Link Programs of Travelers Aid Society in Charlotte, which is a non-profit organization that enables individuals and families to obtain and sustain affordable and safe housing. He joined Community Link in 2007 and previously held the positions of Director of Housing Programs and Program Manager, Homeless Services. Earlier in his career, Rice held various positions working with low-income families to increase their ability to become self-sufficient.

“I am absolutely thrilled to join Ada Jenkins Center as CEO,” said Harold Rice. “I have committed my life to helping communities and individuals in need, and it’s an honor to step into this leadership position and help carry on the Center’s tradition of helping our client-partners achieve stability in their lives and give them hope. This is especially true during this COVID-19 pandemic when so many in our community are suffering the health and economic effects of this dreadful virus.”

Rice and his family live in Huntersville, NC. He holds an MBA from Pfeiffer University and a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. He is a member and volunteer of numerous community organizations, including the Bethlehem Center of Charlotte (board member), Coordinator Assessment Oversight Committee/Homeless Services, Charlotte Regional Realtor’s Association Fair Housing Committee, Homeless Service Network (HSN), NAACP, Men’s Shelter of Charlotte, Race Matters for Juvenile Justice, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, and the Police Athletic League, among others.

Rice will begin on-boarding and transition planning with Krueger throughout June before joining AJC full-time on July 1.

“It has been a true honor and privilege to serve as executive director and CEO of Ada Jenkins Center for so many years,” said Georgia Krueger. “Harold is a well-known and warm leader in the non-profit community, and I look forward to working side-by-side with him during the transition. I’m confident the Center and our client-partners will be in great hands under his leadership.”

The Ada Jenkins Center has stood in Davidson for more than 80 years as a hub for education and community services in northern Mecklenburg County. With services including a free medical clinic, free dental clinic, food pantry, workforce development, child and adult education, and social work case management, we help people in our community create lasting solutions for economic stability.  Last year, we served more than 2,600 individuals and families in Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville. To learn more:  www.adajenkins.org.