When Jeri Barr took the reins of the Center for Family Resources, President Ronald Reagan was running for reelection, Apple had just announced its first Macintosh computer and Dynasty was the no. 1 television program.
After 35 years at the helm, Barr, 74, has announced that she will step down as CEO of the non-profit in December.
A national search for Barr’s replacement will be managed by Secret Holland, director of human resources and community affairs at Gas South. The Center for Family Resources Chair Don Keller said the organization’s leadership hopes to have Barr’s replacement onboard as early as July. A transition committee will be led by Immediate Past Chair Christal McNair. A job description and other details will be posted to the organization’s website in the days to come.
Barr joined the Center for Family Resources as chief executive officer in 1984. At the time, the organization employed 11, operating with a $250,000 budget. Today, the center employs 23, serving families vulnerable to homelessness with a budget of nearly $3.7 million.
The organization also owns the Mansour Conference Center, a 60,000-square-foot complex, built in part with $8.5 million raised through a capital campaign launched in 2004. The campaign’s success, raising more capital than any other previous agency servicing women and families, speaks to the community’s trust in the organization and value of its mission. The Conference Center provides meeting space for the public as well as affordable office space to nonprofit tenants with related missions.
An Iowa native, Barr moved to Cobb County in 1973. Prior to joining the Center for Family Resources, Barr professionally served in numerous leadership roles, including as the director of Volunteer Cobb and as agency relations director for United Way. She has also been active in many civic and volunteer activities including:
- President of the Kiwanis Club of Marietta (2015-2016)
- Leadership Cobb (Class of 1985-1986)
- The Cobb Chamber of Commerce
- Cobb Executive Women
- Cobb Republican Women’s Club.
She is married to former U.S. Congressman Bob Barr and lives in Smyrna. The couple share four children, nine grandchildren and two Airedale dogs.
About CFR
Since 1960, the Center for Family Resources has annually helped more than 10,000 low-income families with temporary financial and food assistance, housing, and employment and education services. By “empowering families to help themselves,” the staff at the Center for Family Resources is committed to breaking the cycle of poverty by helping families acquire the resources they need to become independent and self-sufficient.
