Derrick Chubbs to take the helm of the region’s largest hunger relief agency today
Takes over from retiring President & CEO, Hank Perret
Chubbs available for media interviews on Wednesday, November 9, from 9:30 A.M. – 11:30 - A.M. at the Central Texas Food Bank, along with outgoing CEO, Hank Perret
The Central Texas Food Bank has named Derrick Chubbs to be the fifth President and CEO in its 35-year history. Chubbs assumes leadership of the region’s largest non-profit hunger relief agency today from Hank Perret, who is retiring after serving in that role since 2010 and as a Food Bank board member for several years prior to that. Chubbs, along with Food Bank Board Chair, Heidi Baschnagel, and outgoing CEO, Perret, will be available for media interviews on Wednesday, November 9 from 9:30 A.M. – 11:3- A.M. at the Central Texas Food Bank, 6500 Metropolis Drive in Austin.
Chubbs comes to the Food Bank from the American Red Cross, where he served as National Vice President of Humanitarian Services for Disaster Workforce Readiness, leading the organization’s national strategy in producing a US disaster workforce to manage, execute and support a full spectrum of disaster services. Prior to that he held roles as the organization’s Division Vice President for the Southwest and Rocky Mountains Division and as CEO of the American Red Cross of Central Texas in Austin. In addition, he served as the Texas State Relations Representative for all 25 Red Cross chapters across the state on legislative and government relations issues. Before making the shift to community service with the Red Cross, Chubbs spent 20 years in the for-profit technology sector where he held senior leadership roles at companies that included IBM Corp, Pervasive Software, Inc., and Dell, Inc.
"I’m very excited to be joining the Central Texas Food Bank,” Chubbs said. "As a long-time Austin resident, I know that it’s a great organization. It's well-respected in the community and well-run. Its mission of feeding our neighbors in need has always been important and will become even more vital as the region continues to grow. I’m looking forward to this opportunity to carry on the Food Bank’s legacy, while helping to chart a path for the future of hunger relief in Central Texas.”
At the Central Texas Food Bank, Chubbs will lead an organization on the front line of hunger relief, serving nearly 46,000 people each week in a 21-county service area twice the size of Massachusetts. In June, the organization was renamed from the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas and moved into a new, purpose-built facility in Southeast Austin that more than doubled its distribution capacity. Last year, the Food Bank distributed nearly 38 million pounds of food.
“Derrick’s selection as the new President and CEO of the Food Bank caps an extensive, five-month search involving more than 50 candidates,” said Central Texas Food Bank Board Chair, Heidi Baschnagel. “He possesses a unique combination of leadership in both nonprofit and for-profit settings. Equally important, as a long-time Austinite he also has a genuine sense of caring for, and commitment to, the people of Central Texas.”
Chubbs takes over the Food Bank’s leadership from Hank Perret who, after a long and successful career in the high tech sector, came out of retirement in 2010 to lead the organization, with the primary goals of conducting a capital campaign to build a new, larger Food Bank and charting the long-term strategic vision for the organization It has always been the plan that when this was complete, the search would begin for a new CEO. Perret spearheaded the successful capital campaign that culminated in the completion of the new 135,000 square foot Central Texas Food Bank which opened this past June in Southeast Austin.
“Hank Perret’s dedication to the Food Bank and its mission has secured his legacy in the fight against hunger in our community,” said Central Texas Food Bank Board Chair, Heidi Baschnagel. “As the driving force behind the building of the new Food Bank, he has worked tirelessly to ensure that Derrick will have a smooth transition into the role, taking the helm of a highly-efficient and effective hunger fighting organization, something that is especially important during the upcoming holiday season—a time when need is always high.”
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Media Interviews:
Derrick Chubbs, along with outgoing President and CEO, Hank Perret, will be available for media interviews on Wednesday, November 9 from 9:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. at the Central Texas Food Bank, 6500 Metropolis Drive in Austin. Please contact Paul Gaither at 512-684-2528 (O), 512-550-9030 (M) or pgaither@centraltexasfoodbank.org to make interview arrangements.
ABOUT THE CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK
The mission of Central Texas Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Founded in 1981, the Food Bank provides food and grocery products through a network of nearly 300 Partner Agencies and nutrition programs, serving nearly 46,000 people every week. Headquartered in Austin, the Food Bank serves 21 counties in Central Texas, an area about twice the size of Massachusetts. For more information on the Food Bank and its programs, visit centraltexasfoodbank.org.
