The Rev. Beverly Dempsey, who has 20 years of pastoral, nonprofit and corporate experience, has been named OneJax CEO.
Board chairwoman Shari Shuman said Dempsey's "passion and integrity for the mission" made her the top candidate. She succeeds Elizabeth Andersen.
"She just shined through," Shuman said. "She has a strong combination of leadership in her previous experience."
Dempsey served at Palms Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville Beach and Highlands United Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville and helped organize the Mayport Open Table food pantry in Mayport Village. She also has corporate marketing, banking and nonprofit leadership experience.
She said she was already familiar with OneJax through her pastoral work.
"I'm a person of belonging …
that we're all part of one system. That's the core of who I am," she said. "It was a natural progression."
Beth Reese Cravey has been a reporter for The Florida Times-Union for 45 years, currently specializing in nonprofits and health. She can be reached at bcravey@jacksonville.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Presbyterian pastor named new OneJax CEO
