Albertina Kerr’s Board of Directors recently announced the appointment of Kerr Board Chair Mary Ann “Miki” Herman as Interim CEO, following the departure of CEO Jeff Carr, effective July 10, 2021.
Kerr’s Board is currently in the process of hiring a firm to conduct a national search for a permanent chief executive officer. According to new Board Chair David Lake, the Board hopes to have Kerr’s next CEO in place within the next six to nine months.
As a longtime Kerr volunteer, Miki has a wide breadth of knowledge and familiarity about Kerr’s Children’s Mental Health Services and I/DD programs. Prior to being selected as Chair of the Board of Directors in July of 2020, she was Chair of Kerr’s Foundation Board of Trustees (July 2017 to June 2020) and Chair of The Old Kerr Nursery Association (TOKNA) Volunteer Board and member of the Foundation Board of Trustees (September 2012 to June 2020).
“It’s an honor and privilege to be asked to temporarily step in to lead one of Oregon’s most vital organizations. As Kerr moves toward another chapter in its storied history, I’m looking forward to ensuring the seamless continuation of providing exceptional, life-saving care to our community’s most vulnerable citizens,” Miki says.
Miki brings extensive executive experience in real estate development and management, finance, strategic planning, and procurement. She was a member of the senior management team that catapulted Starbucks to national market leadership and went on to executive roles at The Discovery Channel Store, Nau, Inc., and Sears.
Jeff Carr has stepped down as Kerr’s CEO to explore new opportunities. He will continue as an advisor to Kerr through Sept. 3, 2021.
“I am grateful to the staff, board, partners, volunteers, and friends of Kerr for the opportunity to serve the organization over the past five years. The opportunity to work with other leaders to respond to the need for innovative housing solutions to support so many people and groups has captured my passion and imagination, so I am leaving to explore how to continue this important work,” Jeff says.
Under his leadership, Kerr increased wages for direct support professionals by over 40%, increased the number of group homes by 15%, implemented LEAN continuous improvement, and began construction of 150 units of Workforce and Inclusive Housing. This innovative project has elevated the awareness of Kerr across the region and of housing insecurity for Oregon’s human services workers and adults experiencing an intellectual and/or developmental disability.