Michael Whiting is the new Executive Director of the Yavapai United Way.

Tammy Linn is stepping down from the United Way - but who is taking her place?

Meet Michael Whiting. He comes to the United Way of Yavapai County from the Community Health Charities of Arizona, where he served as Executive Director.

In an interview with Prescott eNews, Whiting speaks about his background, "I'm a native of Arizona, born and raised in Tucson, got my Bachelors and Master's degree at the University of Arizona, so I'm a Wildcat diehard fan. I've got a hospital background, healthcare background, involved with planning and involvement in strategic planning. I got involved with non-profits through a cancer research organization, where I was part of two different United Ways in terms of of funding. I was an executive, I ran the professional division of the campaign of one of the United Ways and really bringing in the funds as well. In my most recent position has been with North Community Health Charities, which is similar to the United Way, but for health charities. So, what I was doing then, and what I anticipate doing here with the United Way are going to be very similar except for the mission and the name and the things behind the United Way logo, much different than Community Health."

As Whiting learns who is who, and what is what, he has a terrific guide in Linn, who wants to make sure that the transition goes smoothly. As a matter of fact, Linn, whose last official day is Friday, May 30, 2008, has introductions scheduled for the next three weeks.

"I've met a lot of people so far, the so-called power brokers of the Prescott area," Whiting said with a grin and a twinkle in his eye. "It's very exciting, and it's been a help for me, as far as the support United Way has."

Speaking of Linn, those high heels she wears will leave some big footprints to follow. Whiting commented, "I think she's done a lot of work, and as we've talked about before, there's certain elements that as you grow a company or non-profit, and she's done a lot to really strengthen United Way, so I think she's left a legacy. I think that's really true. I am looking at it on the second level for me to go from there and make it better, and obviously, our mission, our goal is to raise more money. We're hoping to do that as part of this momentum..."

As he reflected on the current programs that the United Way is part of in the Prescott area, Whiting said, "I think it's just part of the character of the United Way, and I think the way I've seen it, these programs have come about the last couple of years, and I think it gives identity to the United Way, I think the community looks at it as a valuable program, so definitely I think it'll stay, and hopefully we'll look at other programs as well."

Whiting (left) is introduced by Tammy Linn (right) at the Prescott City Council meeting.

One of the programs that caught Whiting's attention is the Community Firewood Project . "That's very unique, I've never seen anything like that before," Whiting said. "I think that obviously, because of the geographic location of Prescott and the utility that's doing that, it just seems to be something that works well here. And there's a lot of needy people who require wood in the winter, so I think it's a great, unique program that's just perfect for the United Way."

"That's going to be part of the new approach the United Way is taking," Whiting continued. "I think you'll even look at the non-profit industry, is that you have to work together, collaborate, cooperate, to make things happen and be successful. It's a must!"

So, is Whiting excited about his new position? "I am. This is one thing, and I've told everybody from the interview, through getting the job, was that we've had a house here in Stone Ridge we built several years ago, and so we've always been looking for that opportunity to move up. So, this is obviously not only personally exciting, but also professionally in terms of doing well with the United Way and meeting with the community and seeing what we can do to respond to make the United Way better and make the community better. Yeah, I'm very excited and looking forward to a long term here, hopefully. And I think that's one of the things the Board and the community and the agency were looking for, a little stability, and hopefully I can bring that."

In the meantime, Whiting's got a few more people to meet. But, no worries, Linn's got it handled, with a list that is long and detailed. By the time they're done, he'll have probably met everyone in town!