DANBURY— January 4, 2012— United Way of Western Connecticut's Chief Executive Officer Michael Johnston plans to leave his job at the end of the month, he said Tuesday. Kim Morgan, 44, of New Fairfield, United Way's chief operating officer, will take over until the organization's board of directors finds a permanent replacement. According to Brooke Feder, president of the group's board of directors, the board put together a search committee, but plans to take its time to find the right candidate. With Morgan as interim CEO, Feder said, the board will have the ability to find the right person by the summer. "We feel very confident with the situation we're in," Feder said. "We have every confidence in Kim." Johnston, 51, of Wilton, is leaving to become the chief executive officer of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford. He has been United Way's CEO for a little more than three years. He led the organization in initiating programs that address childhood obesity, promote early childhood education and help families create long-term financial stability. "I'm sad to see him go," Mayor Mark Boughton said. Johnston started with the United Way at a difficult time, just after the economic crash of 2008, according to Boughton and Kathleen Deschenes, executive director of Interlude, a group that has relied on United Way funding for 34 years. Fundraising decreased at that time, but Johnston kept programs and services "even keel," Boughton said. Deschenes said Johnston understood the challenges of the funded organizations and hoped to pull them together to serve the local community. "This is going to be a big loss for our community," she said of Johnston's departure. Johnston said he is confident Morgan will continue the momentum with the new initiatives. "Kim is well positioned to move these programs," Johnston said. Deschenes expressed similar support. "Kim is phenomenal," Deschenes said. "She is brilliant and logical and organized." Johnston is taking the position in Hartford to be closer to his wife's family, he said. Part of Johnston's legacy was leaving the organization as a strong unit, so programs and initiatives could continue once he left, Feder said. "It's a real gift that Michael has given," Feder said. "It's a tremendous strength." Although Morgan said she is sad to see Johnston leave, she is glad for him. "It's a mixed feeling to say the least," she said. "We will miss Michael." Morgan has served as the United Way's chief operating officer for one year and has worked in the nonprofit industry for about 24 years, she said. Morgan said she is not sure if she will apply for the CEO position permanently, but said she's happy to step into this position at the moment. "We wish Michael well and we look forward to building an even stronger partnership with the United Way," said Kim Bragoli, director of development and communications for Ability Beyond Disability, a United Way-funded organization based in Bethel. The United Way of Western Connecticut, with an office on West Street in Danbury, serves 15 towns in southern Litchfield County, northern Fairfield County and Stamford. The United Way identifies important issues in these communities and pulls its resources, volunteers and member organizations together to achieve results, Johnston said. "I don't think the community will see any change in the work that we're doing," Feder said.
By Stacy Davis, Writer at News-Times