Oregonlive.com

United Way names new CEO

December 13, 2011

PORTLAND -- The Board of Directors of the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette on Monday named Keith Thomajan as its new president and chief executive officer. He was selected from a field of nearly 200 candidates. "Keith Thomajan is a strategic leader who has an impressive track record in nonprofit administration and management," said James Rue, United Way board chair, and director of the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development. "His leadership skills, ability to develop donor and community support and collaborative working style made him the best choice to lead our agency.

His work in developing community partnerships, fundraising and staff development has proven outstanding." Thomajan, 43, has won recognition among his peers as president and CEO of Camp Fire Columbia, where he has served since 2001. Camp Fire Columbia is a co-ed youth development organization supporting more than 3,000 youth in eight counties in Oregon and southwest Washington. Thomajan is credited with expanding the agency's donor base, heightening its profile in the community and building a sustainable business model. He also helped lead the organization to position itself as a core educational partner providing programming intended to extend and complement the school day and in securing funding from some of the country's largest education funders. Thomajan will take the lead of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette on Feb. 6, 2012, and replaces interim president and CEO Jay Bloom who will be available during the transition.