United Way president to retire in 2014
United Way of Racine County president, Dave Maurer, has announced his retirement effective June 30, 2014. A national search process has begun to find a replacement with an anticipated hire date later on this year. The incoming president will then have a transition period with Maurer’s assistance to get acclimated to the position and to the community should the new person come from outside Racine.
Prior to coming to Racine in 1990, Maurer was Campaign Director for the United Way of Rock River Valley in Rockford, Illinois from 1986-1990 and Assistant Campaign Director for United Way of Greater Houston in Houston, Texas from 1982-1986, where he began his United Way career. Maurer serves on the National Professional Council for United Way Worldwide, a group of approximately 50 United Way CEOs who serve to advise and support the president of United Way Worldwide and develop national strategy. In 2012 he was selected by Brian Gallagher, president of United Way Worldwide to serve as one of the two CEOs on the search committee for the president of United Way Worldwide – USA, a new position recently filled by Stacey Stewart. Maurer also serves on the board of United Way of Wisconsin and is a past president of that organization.
Under Maurer’s leadership, United Way has reached several milestones:
- In the nineties, Maurer was involved with the first needs assessment in partnership with the City and the County. Assessment data helped in setting priorities for funding and the funding process changed from a focus on the agency to a focus on the program.
- In 1997, United Way of Racine County’s 75th Anniversary, Racine had the largest single increase (17%) in the country and went over $4,000,000 for the first time. That year also saw the establishment of the Success by 6 Endowment Fund.
- In 2002, Maurer guided the Racine Area United Way to join with the Burlington United Fund to serve the entire county and become United Way of Racine County.
- In 2004, Maurer was instrumental in leading the community to address the issue of homelessness and led United Way in developing the business plan and the capital campaign that created the Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization (HALO).
- In 2007-08, at the request of the leadership of the Workforce Development Board in their 10-year strategic plan called Higher Expectations, United Way established the Advancing Family Assets Initiative, a long term strategy to bring at least 500 low income families to a position of financial stability, an initiative that is still growing and has won acclimation and awards throughout the state and the nation.
- In 2011, Maurer and the campaign cabinet led United Way to reach the highest campaign to date of $5.25 million.
- This past year United Way launched a new education initiative called Schools of Hope, a program currently using over 150 volunteers tutoring 1st through 3rd graders to improve proficiency in reading
Francisco Sanchez, Board Chairman said, “On behalf of the United Way of Racine County Board, we’re very grateful to Dave for his 22 years of leadership during which United Way of Racine County raised over $80 million that were used to improve the lives of many Racine County residents. The board is placing considerable importance in finding a new leader for the future to continue the progress made and momentum gained during Dave’s tenure.”
Maurer shared, “I am very proud of our United Way, what we have accomplished during the time I have been here, and the work we continue to do. Racine is a very special place to me and my family – it is our home. I look forward to working with my successor when he or she comes aboard later on this year to ensure a smooth transition of leadership, and to ensure we sustain and grow what I believe to be one of the most impactful United Ways in the country.”
