We are excited to introduce the new Director of Human Resources, Leonard “Leon” Parker. Leon joined the team last month and we are thrilled with the experience he brings to this position. Leon is a West Virginia native raised on Campbells Creek. He has a long history of managing and developing markets for several major grocery store chains across West Virginia.

When asked why he wanted to move from the corporate world to the nonprofit world, he responded, “My last appointment had me managing a facility in Gassaway which was a great deal of road time. All that time allowed me to think and pray about what is most important in life. I realized I needed to focus more time with family and be home more for them. My mother had also recently experienced a very violent assault, which she survived, but it just made me reevaluate my career. I knew the nonprofit world would be very different and would have additional challenges with the additional regulations that come with this business sector, but I was ready for a change.”

Fortunately for Union Mission, Leon started looking about the time we started posting the job positions in Human Resources. Gearry Bailey, VP of Finance, is excited to have Leon as part of his team.

“After the first interview with Leon,” Gearry says, “I had a good feeling that he was going to be the one. His experience in management and larger organizational structures was really going to be an asset for Union Mission. I am so glad he decided to accept our offer for this  position.”

“I was familiar with Union Mission,” Leon says, “and I knew it had been established back in 1911, but I had no idea how big the organization
is not only with the number of employees but with the wide variety of ministries and areas they serve. I also love the fact that we are encouraged to talk and pray here at work. It was refreshing to have an employee ask if I would pray for another employee who is dealing with a difficult situation right now.”

Please welcome Leon to the team here at Union Mission and consider praying for him as he takes on a challenging task of managing all the
human resources needs within our organization. We hope he feels at home and plans to be part of our team for awhile.