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Mar 30, 2016

The Beacon Hires Rebecca Landes as New CEO

The BEACON, a nonprofit organization that serves Houston’s poor and homeless population, has named Rebecca “Becky” Landes as its new chief executive officer. Landes, an active participant in the Houston nonprofit community for more than 25 years, most recently served as vice president of program services at Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM), where she oversaw a $9 million budget that helped serve more than 31,000 clients annually. Landes also served for several months in 2015 as NAM’s interim president and CEO, where she was responsible for a staff of 85 and 2,000 volunteers.

 

“Becky Landes impressed the search committee with her leadership, her knowledge of issues associated with homelessness, and her passion to empower those who live on the margins of society,” said board chair, The Very Rev. Barkley Thompson.  “She is the right leader for the next chapter of the BEACON’s life.”

 

“It is my privilege to have the opportunity to further the mission of The BEACON,” Landes said. “I am excited to serve alongside the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers to restore hope to Houston’s poor and homeless and be a part of The BEACON’s future achievements.”

Landes has experience managing federal, state and local collaborative projects serving individuals from infants to seniors, and has worked at the executive management level for the past 15 years. She holds a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Houston, Clear Lake and a Bachelors of Arts from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. She is active in Houston’s response to eliminating homelessness and previously served on the Houston/Harris County Continuum of Care Steering Committee.

 

Former BEACON Executive Director Charly Weldon resigned in mid-February to become CEO of Family Services of Greater Houston. During Weldon’s six and a half year tenure, The Beacon experienced a 60 percent increase in days of service and daily service hours, a 68 percent increase in non-profit and corporate grant awards, and the creation of “Come to the Table,” an annual gala, which raised $375,000 last year. Weldon also facilitated The BEACON’s integration into the Houston-Harris County’s Continuum of Care initiative to end chronic homelessness. 

 

Landes will assume her new role on April 25, 2016.