Contributed photo / William "Bill" RushWilliam R. "Bill" Rush, who has helped manage YMCA branches in Chattanooga for more than three decades, will take over as CEO of Metropolitan Ministries on Monday.
Rush will succeed Rebecca Welchel, who is retiring at the end of the month after leading the emergency relief agency for the past 17 years, according to a news release from the organization.
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Rush has served for more than 36 years in the YMCA movement and most recently served as the branch executive director at the James A. Henry Community YMCA for Urban Services for the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga. He will become only the fourth leader of Metropolitan Ministries in its 42-year history since the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee helped establish the ministry to aid those in need.
Last year after relocating from its former location on McCallie Avenue to its current site in the "Impact Hub" on Rossville Boulevard, Metropolitan Ministries served more than 4,400 households, including 6,000 adults and 4,000 children, with a variety of emergency financial assistance and supportive services.
Rush also serves the Chattanooga community as the project manager for Pioneering Healthy Communities, Orchard Knob Collaborative, the EPA sponsored committee for Local Food/Local Places and the UTC Masters of Public Health Advisory Board. He serves on the Hamilton County Department of Education External Advisory Board and is co-chairman of the Out-of-School Time Alliance. He has experience in strategic planning, board development, staff development, fundraising, program development and community development. He is gifted in meaningful partnership development, the release said, and is highly regarded as a leader as he helped navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining services at the Y.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga YMCA opens new preschool and other education news this week)
"I am humbled and excited for this new chapter in serving our community with Metropolitan Ministries staff and volunteers and to honor the great work and foundation that has been established for supporting all people in their journey to living their best life," Rush said in an announcement of the leadership change.
Lynn Schmissrauter, a MetMin board member who led the search for a new CEO to replace Welchel, said in a statement that the agency "is thrilled to welcome Bill Rush and looks forward to a new beginning for our organization and those we serve."
- Compiled by Dave Flessner