Dear WV VOAD Members,
We are pleased to announce that Rev. John (Jack) Lipphardt will be serving as the Interim Executive Director for West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WV VOAD) during the upcoming hiring process for a full-time permanent Executive Director this Spring.
In his role as Interim Director, Rev. Lipphardt envisions a two-pronged approach, focusing on celebrating WV VOAD's past successes and collaborating with the transition team to shape a more resilient future by refining the organization's mission. He will lead the transition team in crafting a new executive director job description and will review programs and policies to enhance efficiency in disaster response and support for West Virginians.
Lipphardt expressed his commitment to engaging with all our member organizations promptly, addressing their questions about the organization's future and emphasizing its strength. "As a group of organizations, we have to work together. I want to connect members to understand what value each partner brings to disaster response to create confidence in their interconnectedness throughout the state in responding to disasters," he said.
Bringing a wealth of experience from his role as the Director of Disaster Recovery for the WV United Methodist Church during the 2016 floods, Lipphardt has proven expertise in disaster case management, overseeing multi-million dollar projects, and coordinating over 2,000 volunteers on 135 mission teams.
The WV VOAD Board of Directors has diligently worked over the last few months to establish stronger operational procedures, incorporating additional safeguards for improved oversight. Working together with Rev. Lipphardt, they will collaborate to ease the organization into its next chapter.
About Jack Lipphardt
A graduate of Triadelphia High School in Wheeling in 1966, Lipphardt earned his B.A. in pre-med zoology from West Virginia University in 1970. He furthered his education at The Divinity School, Duke University, obtaining his M.Div. in 1973 and Th.M. in New Testament Studies in 1974.
With an extensive professional journey, Lipphardt has served as an Ordained Elder in the WV Conference, The United Methodist Church, and held pastoral positions at Epworth United Methodist Church and Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church. Notably, he has contributed significantly as the Associate Director of The House of the Carpenter, Inc., and as the Director of Disaster Recovery for the WV United Methodist Conference.
On a personal note, Jack is happily married to Nancy Thomas Lipphardt, a retired psychiatric social worker. Together, they have nine children, unfortunately losing one, and are blessed with 19 grandchildren. Their family is expanding, with 11 great-grandchildren and two more expected in July 2024. Jack's dedication to both his professional and personal life reflects a commitment to community service and family values.
We look forward to the positive impact Mr. Lipphardt will bring to WV VOAD during this transitional period and beyond.
Sincerely,
West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
Board of Directors
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