Holt International Children’s Services names new CEO
The board of directors of Holt International announced today that Kim Brown has been elected to the position of Holt Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Mr. Brown has served on the Holt board since 1999 and was the first adoptee selected as board chair.
During its annual board meeting, the board also elected Will Dantzler of Manassas, VA as the organization’s new chair. Dantzler, who is also a Korean adoptee, expressed his gratitude to the organization that was responsible for finding him a family. “Serving as a member of the board, and now as the board chair is an honor as well as an opportunity to ‘give back’ to this amazing organization. I join the rest of the board in looking forward to Kim Brown as Holt’s new CEO.”
Dantzler stated, “These are challenging times for international adoption. The board unanimously believes that Kim is uniquely positioned to lead Holt during this critical time of uncertainty in the global economy and worldwide changes for intercountry adoption and child welfare.”
Brown has an extensive background in business and organizational management. In addition to his personal experience as a Korean adoptee, Kim and his wife, Lori, are the parents of two children whom they adopted from Korea. “I have come full circle, both as a Korean adoptee and as an adoptive parent. In addition to the business and management experience I need for this job, I have the personal life changing experience of adoption as well.”
In the last few years Holt International has successfully focused on expanding its child sponsorship program to provide the financial resources to support overseas programs. “The board believes Kim’s heart for children and his capacity to tell his own story is an important asset that is especially critical for Holt at this time.” said Dantzler.
Mr. Brown replaces Gary N. Gamer who was CEO since 2004. “The board of directors acknowledges Gary for his accomplishments as CEO,” said board chair Will Dantzler. Under his leadership Holt pressed for ethical, child-centered intercountry adoption practices. He led the organization through the accreditation process for intercountry adoption and worked with the Holt board to establish the organization’s strategic plan for the future. Mr. Gamer will become COO.
Holt International was founded by Harry and Bertha Holt in 1956 following the Korean War. Holt is a leading international adoption and child welfare organization with international headquarters in Eugene, OR and overseas programs in 15 countries.
www.holtinternational.org