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McKenzie continues mission of helping others
By TIM DAVIS/Star-Tribune Editor
Monday, March 31, 2008 8:56 AM EDT
After 30 years of finding money for programs to help the less fortunate, Starling McKenzie will soon have a new job and mission.
Instead of receiving, he will be on the giving end of funding worthwhile causes.
McKenzie is one of three senior program officers recently hired by Danville Regional Foundation, formed in 2005 following the sale of Danville Regional Medical Center to LifePoint Hospitals Inc.
Approximately $200 million from the sale of the former nonprofit hospital will be used to benefit health, education and welfare in Danville, Pittsylvania County, and Caswell County, N.C.
In the past three years, the foundation has awarded approximately $21.5 million to eight non-profit organizations or government, including $3 million for a new community center in Chatham.
McKenzie has been director of planning and budget for Pittsylvania County Community Action Inc. in Chatham since 1984.
He begins his new role with the foundation April 1 and will specialize in "capacity development," developing long-range plans and laying the groundwork for future community investments.
"It's kind of like a coaching position," said McKenzie, who will work with non-profit groups that fit within the foundation's mission.
While Pittsylvania County Community Action is devoted to relieving poverty, Danville Regional Foundation has a broader mission, and McKenzie believes he will have a greater impact.
"Here, I've spent most of my career pursing funding," he said. At the foundation, McKenzie will find himself at the opposite end of the spectrum - helping fund organizations.
"That's not going to be as easy as it sounds," he said. "You have to look at things objectively and see what will have the greatest impact. You'll be picking the best of the best. That will probably be the most difficult part."
Leaving Community Action was not an easy decision.
"I've spent my whole career here," said McKenzie, who started working for the anti-poverty agency soon after graduating from college in 1978.
A temporary employee in the beginning, McKenzie was a maintenance supervisor for the summer youth employment program, then spent six years as a social services and parent coordinator for Community Action's Head Start preschool program.
When he joined the agency, its budget was less than $1 million; today, it's $11.3 million. Community Action employs 150 people and last year served more than 11,000 clients.
A native of Pittsylvania County, McKenzie, 51, grew up on a tobacco farm and was the first member of his family to go to college.
He graduated from Chatham High School in 1974 and earned a bachelor's degree in social work from Norfolk State University in 1978. He also has completed graduate work toward a master's degree in administration at Lynchburg College.
McKenzie is a graduate of Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce's charter leadership class and the Thomas Sorensen Institute at the University of Virginia.
He is a member of the board of directors of Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, and former member and president of Chatham Rotary Club.
He has served on the West Piedmont Workforce Investment Board, Virginia Community Action Partnership's planning group, and SCALE-UP (Southside Community Advocates for Learning Excellence - United for Progress).
He is a deacon and chairman of the finance committee at Greater Brookville Church in Lynchburg.
McKenzie lives in Campbell County's Yellow Branch community near Rustburg. His wife, Sandra, a Java native, is principal of Tye River Elementary School. She is a former principal of Gretna Middle School.
The McKenzies have two sons. Darrin, 19, is a freshman at Bridgewater College and football player. Cameron, 16, is a sophomore at Brookville High School.
McKenzie said he will definitely miss Community Action and the people he has worked with for the past three decades.
"The agency has afforded me a lot of opportunities to grow personally and professionally," he said. "I've developed some great working relationships. It gave me an opportunity to work with a great group of folks - to learn and have a little fun, too."
He is especially grateful to Pittsylvania County Community Action's board of directors and executive director Sherman Saunders.
"I learned a lot from his leadership," said McKenzie.
Saunders, who is also a member of Danville City Council and Danville's mayor, returned the compliment.
"Starling has been a major pillar here at PCCA who has helped to build a solid foundation upon which another pillar will stand," Saunders said. "He is an excellent example of the quality of the employees at PCCA."
Everlena Ross, director of programs for Community Action, said McKenzie's unselfish nature is good for building coalitions and partnerships.
"His personally exudes calmness, and his quiet demeanor is able to bring people together," said Ross. "He's sort of like E.F. Hutton. He's doesn't speak loudly, but when he speaks people listen."
McKenzie is used to working behind the scenes and doesn't mind not being in the spotlight.
"I think I do a better job that way," he said. "My personality is suited for bringing people together. I treat people like I want to be treated. I don't play games. I try to be straight forward. I have no hidden agendas."
He will be missed at Community Action.
"Starling has been a true friend, both professionally and personally," said Ross. "He had a good vision of the whole agency."
Danville Regional Foundation also has hired two other senior program managers, Clark Casteel and Wendi Goods.
Casteel has served as workforce director for the Three Rivers Planning and Development District and the Mississippi Partnership Local Workforce Investment Board in Tupelo, Miss.
A native of Floyd, Casteel completed his undergraduate education at Radford University and his master's degree at the University of Mississippi.
He will focus on workforce development and education issues, according to the foundation's presidnt and executive director, Karl Stauber.
Goods is a native of Danville and a graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia. She was most recently employed by the local Boys & Girls Club where she was assistant executive director.
Goods will focus on community development, education, and youth, Stauber said.
tim.davis@chathamstartribune.com
434-432-2791
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