VERO BEACH — Following a nationwide search, the Indian River Community Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Jeffrey R. Pickering has been named Chief Executive Officer. Pickering will begin the transition to Vero Beach after Feb. 1, and will relocate with his family in June following the end of his children’s school year.
Pickering succeeds Kerry Bartlett who announced her resignation last summer after leading the organization for the past six years. He is a Florida native with 20 years of experience in philanthropy, grant-making and non-profit management. He joins the Indian River Community Foundation after serving five years as President and CEO of Kern Community Foundation and its subsidiary Kern Real Estate Foundation in Bakersfield, Calif. He also previously served as Vice President of Philanthropic Services at the Central Florida Foundation in Orlando.
“I am thrilled Jeff has accepted the challenge to become CEO of the Indian River Community Foundation,” said Bob Puff, Chairman of the Board. “He brings the perfect balance of knowledge, experience and compassion to lead our organization into a new phase of growth and development for the good of our community.”
Before entering the community foundation field, Pickering worked for 10 years in Chicago and Central Florida for organizations that provide services to homeless adults. He began his professional career in the Vincentian Service Corps, where he volunteered for one year following college graduation as a lay missioner working among homeless men and women in New York City.
In considering the opportunity in Vero Beach, Pickering said he was most impressed by the level of philanthropic engagement found throughout the community.
“Indian River County residents seem to understand the power of place-based philanthropy and the unique contribution a community foundation can make on the quality of life,” Pickering said. “At six years old, the foundation is off to a great start. I am excited to be in a position to lead the organization to becoming one of the most influential philanthropic resources in the region.”
Pickering cites the energy, enthusiasm and commitment of the Indian River Community Foundation Board of Directors as one of the strongest attractions to his new position.
“These are busy people, but rather than sit on the sidelines, they are in the game and working to help this foundation succeed for the benefit of the community,” Pickering said. “I am looking forward to working alongside the Board to assess our strengths and develop future opportunities.”
Pickering holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of South Florida, a master’s degree in leadership studies from the University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences, and a certificate in management from the Crummer Graduate School of Management at Rollins College. He continues executive education at Stanford University. Pickering said he and his wife, Stephanie, along with their three children, are excited about joining the Vero Beach community. He grew up in Central Florida and has fond memories of visiting the area.
“On a personal level, we are looking forward to being closer to my family in Winter Park,” Pickering said. “I am also looking forward to surfing more with my children and making friends in our new hometown.”
Indian River Community Foundation began operating in 2006 with a mission to improve the quality of life in Indian River County through donor driven philanthropy. The organization has grown to manage $30 million in assets restricted for charitable purposes, the majority of which are held in donor advised funds, and has facilitated an additional $22 million in grants on behalf of its fund holders. The foundation works with philanthropists, local advisors and community organizations to develop results-oriented strategies to achieve charitable goals and community impact. For more information contact visit www.ircommunityfoundation.com.