Above / Loaves and Fishes Community Services is located at 1871 High Grove Lane.
Loaves & Fishes Community Services today announced that Michael J. Havala has been named CEO and President, effective October 15, 2016.
Havala, Chairman of the Board, has served as the Interim CEO since March 2016. He has been on the Board of Directors of Loaves & Fishes since 2009, and been instrumental in many aspects of the organization’s progress over the past seven years.
“We are very excited that Mike is stepping into the role as CEO on a full-time basis. His extensive experience in leadership, strategic planning, capital raising and long history with Loaves & Fishes will help to achieve our strategic plan,” said Paul Novotny, member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the CEO Search Committee. “Mike’s leadership in driving the recent combination with Naperville CARES is evidence of his strategic foresight as well as his ability to achieve major objectives.”
“I am honored to serve Loaves & Fishes in a more significant way, and most importantly, serve our clients and the community,” said Mike Havala. “Food insecurity is a public health concern, having medical, educational and economic impact in our community. And while Loaves & Fishes has long been a leader in the community in solving hunger issues, it also is focused on providing families with more resources to improve their lives through programs which provide job training, transportation, emergency financial assistance, computer skills and others. Strengthening families also strengthens our community.”
Brief Bio of Michael Havala
Havala brings more than 25 years of leadership in executive positions and has been a co-founder of both privately-held and publicly-traded companies. Through his current advisory business, he has been an advisor to a number of companies across the United States in the areas of strategic planning, business development, capital markets, operations and organizational structure.
Over his career, he has raised over $13 billion of capital from many sources including domestic and international institutional and retail investors. He will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Loaves & Fishes until that role is transitioned to another member of the Board of Directors as stated by the organization’s bylaws.
Mike and his wife, Toni, have lived in the Naperville community for over 22 years, raising their three children here.
“This is a tremendous community that provides an incredible amount of support to those in need,” Mike said. “As I have become more deeply involved in Loaves & Fishes, I have been amazed at the dedication of our volunteers, donors and staff. Meeting the needs for those who are under-resourced can only come about through the collective effort of our community. I look forward to increasing my involvement in the community in Naperville and broader DuPage County.”
About Loaves & Fishes Community Services
Located at 1871 High Grove Lane in Naperville, Loaves & Fishes Community Services provides groceries and essential support services to more than 2,800 suburban Chicago families each month. Its multi-faceted model combines programs such as job search support, food assistance, skill-based classes and public benefit assistance, to both assist and empower clients to achieve self-sufficiency. To learn more about making a donation, volunteering or getting help, visit http://www.loaves-fishes.org.
Loaves and Fishes Community Services is located at 1871 High Grove Lane. For more information, call (630) 355-3663.
News submitted by Michelle Iskowitz, Marketing & Communications Manager, for Loaves and Fishes Community Services.
