After serving for more than 17 years as Northwest Assistance Ministries’ President and CEO, Carole Little has announced she is retiring. NAM’s Board of Trustees has initiated a search for a new leader and subsequent leadership transition process.

Carole joined NAM in early 2001 after successful service with Target Hunger, a United Way hunger relief organization located in Houston’s impoverished Fifth Ward. Carole has led NAM through tremendous growth during her tenure. NAM now provides services across 24 zip codes in northwest Harris County, with a staff of almost 100 employees, more than 2,500 volunteers and a coalition of more than 40 congregations and 17 affiliate organizations.

During Carole’s tenure, NAM completed a two-year, more than $5.3 million capital campaign and opened The Harrell Family Opportunity Center, along with a permanent home for NAM’s Resale Store. Carole led the transition of NAM’s food pantry to a cutting-edge choice pantry, and NAM expanded its Meals on Wheels program, providing free meals for seniors in partnership with the City of Houston. NAM also established a first of its kind partnership with the Harris County Housing Authority to rapidly rehouse 100 homeless families. Additionally, access to healthcare for uninsured children increased from 200 to approximately 800 children monthly, and the NAM Endowment Fund established a robust Planned Giving Initiative, which grew to more than $2 million dollars during Carole’s tenure.

During its most recent fiscal year, NAM served more than 129,000 clients, including more than 10,000 affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Mike Watford, Chair of NAM’s Board of Trustees says, “Carole has led NAM through tremendous growth and has established NAM as a top provider of client services. NAM has served millions of clients during Carole’s tenure while becoming a fixture in the Northwest Houston community. While we all wish Carole and her family the best, she will be greatly missed.”

Carole states, “It’s time to start a new chapter in my life – one where I take the organization, the team, the memories, the incredible journey with me in my heart and stand back and position myself in the proud spectator’s box and watch NAM flourish and grow independently.”

NAM’s Board of Trustees, with Carole Little’s assistance, has initiated the process of finding Carole’s successor. Watford added, “This is a tremendous responsibility that the Board and I take very seriously. A committee has been seated to begin the process of hiring an executive search firm to recruit the best possible candidates for this position. This process will take some time but the Board is committed to hiring the best person possible to lead NAM into the future.”

The Board has named Jim Fryfogle, Vice Chair of NAM’s Board of Trustees, as Interim CEO for the duration of the search and hiring process. Jim served as a Vice President for Plains All-American for many years and brings a wealth of executive experience to the position. The Board is confident Jim will provide the experience, sound judgement and leadership needed during this time of transition.

The Board will continue to support the staff and volunteers as they carry out the mission of Neighbors Helping Neighbors to ensure the continued delivery of NAM’s programs and services.

A celebration of Carole Little’s time with NAM is scheduled for April 12 as part of NAM’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon held at Shirley Acres. Contact NAM’s Community Relations Coordinator, Courtney Frost-Tadlock, for more information and if you wish to attend the luncheon as seating is limited.