Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities Names Beth Howell As New President/CEO

ATLANTA, Sept. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities (ARMHC) Board of Directors has chosen Beth Howell, currently Vice President, Academic Administration Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, as its President/CEO. In her new role, Howell will be charged with leading the growth of the organization as it seeks to increase its capacity to provide temporary housing and support services to families of ill and injured children being treated at local hospitals.

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Howell will be responsible for leading the capital campaign to complete Phase II of the organization's expansion of the Ronald McDonald House near Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. In addition to overseeing the expansion, Howell's key priorities will be growing annual fundraising revenue and diversifying the organization's donor base. Howell's new leadership role will be effective November 4, 2013.

Howell was selected out of 160 candidates. She succeeds Linda Morris who passed away in April 2013 after spearheading the growth of ARMHC as its President/CEO for two decades. To fill this position, the board conducted a comprehensive five-month campaign in search of a visionary leader who possesses expertise in fundraising.

"Beth brings a wealth of expertise, which will be instrumental to the future growth of our organization," said Jeff Wansley, board chair of ARMHC. "Her heart for the mission and proven leadership skills make her a perfect fit for the ARMHC family. We are confident she will enhance and strengthen our partnership with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta."

During her 23-year career with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Howell led the expanding efforts related to research and teaching in collaboration with academic partners, such as Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology. She also served as the Administrative Director of the Pediatric Center of Georgia, a non-profit corporation supporting Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University.  The Pediatric Center includes more than 300 Emory University School of Medicine faculty working in more than 20 specialties and subspecialties that are actively involved with pediatric clinical care, teaching, research and child advocacy efforts in Georgia and throughout the Southeast.

"I'm excited about this opportunity and I feel the experience I've gained in the last 20 years prepares me to lead the growth of this exceptional organization," said Howell. "The greatest joys of my career have come from knowing that I'm making a difference for children and families. I look forward to working closely with the board, staff, volunteers and key stakeholders as we look to expand our reach and improve the lives of children and families in desperate need of comfort, hope and healing," she added.

Prior to Children's, Howell worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Deloitte & Touche USA LLP.  She joined Children's in 1990 to assist with program planning.  In 2001, she became Chief Compliance Officer and was promoted to Vice President of Corporate Oversight in 2004, before being named Vice President of Academic Administration in 2008.

About Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities

Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of children by providing temporary housing and support services to families of ill and injured children being treated at local hospitals.

The two Atlanta Houses have provided a home away from home to more than 42,000 families of ill and injured children since the first Atlanta House opened in 1979.  Today, ARMHC serves 2,000 families annually, representing every county in Georgia and other Southeastern states.

At the Ronald McDonald House, families can enjoy many of the comforts of home, receive nutritious meals prepared and served by volunteers and obtain emotional support through contact with other families experiencing similar situations.  No family is turned away if they cannot afford the small $20 requested contribution and many of these families stay at the Ronald McDonald House for weeks, and sometimes months, while their children receive medical treatment.

SOURCE Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities