The president of a local graduate school for counseling and ministry has resigned to become the new president and chief operating officer of Street Grace.
Bob Rodgers, head of Richmont Graduate University, will head the Atlanta-based organization as it works to end sex trafficking of minors in the state and the nation.
"Leaving Richmont is the hardest decision ever made professionally in my life. I've never been a part of anything that is more vibrant, more healthy and does more good serving more people in my life," Rodgers said. "But in the last five years, I've been confronted and I'm becoming more and more aware of the human sex-trafficking issue."
Rodgers told Richmont board members Tuesday of the move. He will continue as president until a new president or interim is named, according to the Richmont Graduate University news release.
As head of the university, Rodgers worked on the issue of human trafficking globally through university counseling and ministry initiatives and through his role as founding chairman of the Freedom Coalition, a human trafficking initiative in partnership with Atlanta-based City of Refuge, according to the news release.
"I just saw it (human sex trafficking) in a way where I realized one day about a year and a half ago that I don't know of anything that is more evil and I need to spend my energy and time and resources seeing if there is anything positive and productive I can contribute to help solve the problem," said Rodgers, a husband and father of three.
Several university supporters said Rodgers will be missed.
Jan Linder, immediate past president of Richmont's board, called Rodgers' leadership "invaluable" and "an incredible stabilizing influence and catalyst for growth."
Dean of Students Amanda Blackburn said, "God brought Rodgers as the perfect leader at the perfect time for Richmont. Serving under his leadership as president these last few years has been a joy and an honor."
In six years at Richmont, Rodgers, led it in financial growth and academic expansion, including the opening of the $2.3 million Atlanta campus, an accredited master's degree program in ministry, successful online programs and doubling the university's endowment.
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.