April 13, 2010
FOOD LIFELINE’S PRESIDENT & CEO, LINDA NAGEOTTE, NAMED FEEDING AMERICA’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
AWARD PRESENTED AT FEEDING AMERICA'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF MORE THAN 200 MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
Food Lifeline, the largest hunger relief organization in Washington and local Feeding America member, announces President & CEO Linda Nageotte as the recipient of the highly-coveted, national award for Executive Director of the Year from Feeding America. This prestigious award honors the leader of a Feeding America network member, who has contributed an extraordinary effort to the network’s viability and momentum. This network includes more than 200 hunger relief organizations throughout the nation.
Nageotte was selected as Executive Director of the Year based on her leadership at the local, state and national levels, and for her active involvement in discussions around the need for a more holistic approach to ending hunger.
"Linda is an incredible role model to our network and accomplishes the goals of her organization with unstoppable passion," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. "Linda’s commitment and dedication to providing for those in need is invaluable to Food Lifeline and to Feeding America."
In her 12 years at Food Lifeline, the organization has become a highly respected leader in hunger relief. Nageotte has fostered the growth of Food Lifeline leading the organization to double food distribution, and in the last five years alone, the volunteer program has grown by 165 percent. She has also helped progress hunger research through Food Lifeline’s "Missing Meals Report," whose methodology is now being adopted nationally.
Nageotte’s efforts have also included participation in the Athena Project working toward the high-tech revolution of food banking; introducing cutting edge technology systems to better manage inventory; developing an aggressive food sourcing plan to double Food Lifeline’s food procurement and distribution by 2012, and directing an extensive branding project, bringing greater visibility to the organization and engaging the public in the organization’s work.
"Linda models respect, accountability and integrity on a daily basis, which sets a high bar for the rest of us," said Angie Randall, Grants Manager at Food Lifeline. "Linda is the epitome of a great leader in that she inspires her staff to be the absolute best that they can be. She does this by modeling a spirited yet strict adherence to standards of performance and integrity that she personally exhibits in her day-to-day work serving the hungry people of Western Washington. Her outstanding long-term vision has greatly influenced this region and beyond."
"I am honored and humbled to receive the Executive Director of the Year Award," said Linda Nageotte, Food Lifeline President and CEO. "I accept this award on behalf of the entire team at Food Lifeline and our supporters in the local community. Food Lifeline would not be where it is today without their dedication and support to our mission of ending hunger in Western Washington."
About Food Lifeline
Food Lifeline is a local hunger relief organization, efficiently serving the Western Washington area by using 95% of revenue to directly feed hungry people. Last year the organization delivered more than 19 million meals to over 675,000 hungry people through its network of nearly 300 food banks, meal programs, shelters and other food providers. Food Lifeline is also a member of the national organization, Feeding America. For more information about Food Lifeline or to make a tax-deductible donation, log onto www.foodlifeline.org or call 206-545-6600.
About Feeding America
Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support more than 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. Feeding America is based in Chicago. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Feeding America or follow our news on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Feedingamerica.
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