Raleigh—Inter-Faith Food Shuttle (IFFS) is pleased to announce Dave Koch in the position of Executive Director. Koch joins the organization following a board announcement in November 2014 that CEO and Co-founder Jill Staton Bullard will transition into a more external role focused on community development, long-range system change, advocacy, and strategic fund development. As Executive Director, Koch assumes full responsibility for daily operations including management of staff, programs, finances, and development. This strategic move will enable the 25-year-old nonprofit to accelerate the dynamic community conversations about ending hunger through local food system change. Koch comes to IFFS with 25 years of senior level experience in financial and human resources management in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Most recently, he has been Executive Director at Atria Southpoint Walk Senior Living. For 15 years prior to that, Koch led a mental health provider company, which he co-founded, offering residential care facilities to over 350 children and seniors throughout North Carolina.
“We know we have found someone who will bring strong operational, financial, and business acumen, as well as the community focus and a passion for what we do,” said Becky Jacobs, 2014 Board Chair.
Koch holds a MA in Public Administration from Wayne State University with an emphasis in human resources and labor relations, as well as management certification from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Commenting during a recent staff meeting, Koch said: “It is a very special privilege for me to join the Food Shuttle family! I have admired the good work and quality services that the organization has provided for many years. Thousands of volunteers and supporters have teamed with staff to touch the lives of so many people in our community. I am excited about the opportunity to play a leadership role in carrying out the mission of the organization, in partnership with a dedicated and engaged Board.”
Koch’s involvement in the community includes leading the West Raleigh Exchange Club as Board President for 8 years, and leading the Kraft YMCA Building Campaign for 5 years. He has also owned a restaurant /catering business, and managed a culinary operation serving seniors. Koch has a background in family farming, and enjoys playing the trumpet in various musical groups.
Said CEO Jill Staton Bullard: “We knew it would take a special combination of talents and experience to embrace how this organization uses multiple strategies to combat hunger. Dave is that special person-- a rare combination of practical business experience, compassion, and the courage to tackle big, important issues.”
Current Board Chair Keith Sherman acknowledged, “I want to thank Jill and Becky for orchestrating a wonderful process to end up with a wonderful person. Everything in Dave’s background applies to the challenges we have in creating a healthy local food system. With staff talent, great leadership, and Jill’s experience and advocacy, we've got all the elements for success.”
Koch begins on January 26, 2015.
About Inter-Faith Food Shuttle: As a Feeding America food bank, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle recovers healthy food that would have gone wasted and redistributes it to partner agencies. IFFS not only feeds the hungry through programs such as BackPack Buddies and Mobile Food Markets, but also teaches skills for self-sufficiency including culinary job training, buying and cooking healthy food on a budget, and even how to grow food. Using its tagline as a guiding principle— “We Feed. We Teach. We Grow.”— IFFS’ grassroots approach empowers families in low wealth communities with job skills and education to build a hunger-free and healthy community.