Oakland Family Services board welcomes Ron Hillard as chairman
Oakland Family Services’ Board Chairman Ron Hillard
The Oakland Family Services Board of Directors voted Ron Hillard as its new chairman on June 8.
Hillard joined the board in June 2016 and has served on its Audit and Executive committees and IT Task Force. Most recently, he served as board vice chair.
“I am honored, excited and humbled to become the chairman for our agency,” he said. “As we continue celebrating our 100 years of providing essential services to our community, we have a unique opportunity to continue the adjustment of our services to align with new delivery models. During the difficult period of the last year, the agency quickly and efficiently advanced our ability to provide remote services, just as the need for our services in the community increased.”
Outside of his volunteer work with Oakland Family Services, Hillard is vice president and chief information officer at Creek Enterprise, which provides information technology, physical security and engineering services. He leads the enterprise’s technical services team and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University. He brings to his role as chairman experience with leadership, business execution systems and Enterprise Resource Planning.
“Over the next few years, I look forward to completing and implementing our strategic plan, advancing our development team, increasing the awareness of Oakland Family Services in the community, and providing the services needed to meet the new demands,” he said. “We are blessed with a team with a passion for our mission, an amazing leadership team and a very engaged board. With the skills, abilities, knowledge and experience associated with Oakland Family Services, we are positioned to continue to provide the critical services needed throughout the community.”
Oakland Family Services’ Immediate Past Board Chairman Betsy Meter
Hillard replaces Betsy Meter as chair, who said her two-year term flew by.
“When I said ‘yes’ to the chairman role, I could never have imagined that most of my term would be impacted by a global pandemic,” Meter said. “I am so proud of how the Oakland Family Services team responded and the support I had from the board during this time of unprecedented uncertainty and change. Our team demonstrated great agility and resiliency during the pandemic, while never missing a beat and continuing to serve our communities.”
Oakland Family Services President and CEO Jaimie Clayton thanked Meter for her service to the agency throughout the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Betsy played an essential role as board chairman for the last two years,” said Clayton. “She provided the agency with stable, calm, and compassionate leadership that began before the pandemic, but extended through one of the most uncertain times for any non-profit. With her guidance and leadership, we were able to not only weather the pandemic but continued to build brighter futures for so many without any interruptions.
“As Ron takes on the role of chairman, I am confident he will continue to provide the steady and reasoned leadership OFS will need as we begin to understand our new normal and ensure we continue to provide the safety net services the community needs most. Ron has been a valued board member and is sure to excel in his new role, I look forward to partnering with him as we celebrate our last 100 years and look the next 100.”
Meter also noted that the board is in good hands with Hillard at the helm.
“As I turn the chairmanship over to Ron Hillard, the agency is well-positioned, and Ron is the right person to lead the board as we emerge from the pandemic and relook at the agency footprint, how we deliver services and how we address the growing needs of our broader community,” Meter said.
Other updates to the board
Replacing Hillard as the board’s vice chairman is Brian Newman. Newman was previously the board’s secretary, a role now filled by Jay Wachowicz.
Ted Willet was appointed treasurer, a position left open as longtime treasurer Robert Scharff stepped down from the role.
The board welcomed new members Kaitlyn Hudspeth and Shelley C. Hulgrave, while Randall Pappal and longtime member Daniel Pienta departed the board. Pienta retired after more than a decade and a half of service.
“Dan Pienta has been a key board member for the last 15 years,” Clayton said. “He has held leadership roles as board chairman, vice chairman, secretary and served on a multitude of committees and task forces. Dan helped to connect OFS with key funders and supporters and was always considering how he could help us meet our mission. He has been an asset to me as CEO, to our staff and the rest of the board, and most importantly, over his years of service, he helped to build brighter futures for vast numbers of children and families.”
Oakland Family Services’ board members share their passion, expertise and leadership on a volunteer basis. They provide guidance on the agency’s direction, goals, budgeting and services to improve the lives of others and ensure the agency’s programs and services meet the community’s needs.
