New president/CEO named at Starved Rock Country Community Foundation

George Carizey was named the new president and CEO of the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation.

The foundation’s board of directions reached a consensus Carizey’s 25 years of leadership in the human services industries, a commitment to community building and desire to have a positive impact on the lives of all people in the communities that make up the foundation’s outreach were factors in the decision, the board said in a press release.

Carizey’s family emigrated to the United States in 1975, planting their roots in Moline. Carizey said his background experience and struggles formed the foundation of his passion for working with those less fortunate, and he focused on community development and social work in college.

Carizey worked a decade as a community impact manager at the United Way of the Quad Cities Area, and later as a director of the Even Start Family Literacy Project and as the executive director of the Quad Cities Haven of Hope, a homeless shelter for women and their children. In his 25 years in the human services industry, Carizey focused on community outreach, grant management, fundraising and program initiatives.

Carizey succeeds Pamela Beckett, former president of the foundation. Pamela and her husband, Chuck, founded the Starved Rock Community Foundation in 2015.

In six years, the foundation raised more than $4 million, established 70 funds and scholarships, and returned $1.9 million to the community in grants, scholarships and disaster relief funds.

“Starved Rock Country Community Foundation is poised for major expansion in the philanthropy field and we’re excited of what the future holds for the foundation and the Starved Rock Country communities,” Carizey said. “There are enormous opportunities that lie ahead, and I couldn’t be happier to join a dedicated team committed to making a difference in our communities.”

Beckett will remain on the board and serve as a consultant to the leadership team. When Carizey’s position was approved at the June board meeting, Carizey called Beckett a “true pioneer and visionary” for growing the foundation to where it is today.

“I cannot be more grateful and honored to accept the position of president/CEO of this well-established and respected organization that consists of an extremely talented team, dedicated board members, generous donors and nonprofit partners,” Carizey said. “My goal is to build on the success of the past six years and continue to strive to enhance the quality of life for all in Starved Rock Country.”

In addition to a new president and CEO, Eschbach welcomes four new Board members: Tracy Bedeker of Seneca, a vp/marketing manager at First Federal Savings Bank in Ottawa and past president (2015-2016) of the Ottawa Noon Rotary; Norma J. Cotner, also of Seneca, a Coldwell Banker Realtor and multi-state social activist; Dr. Sue Schmitt, of Streator, a veterinarian and owner of Countryside Animal Clinic; and Sharon Schallhorn of Princeton, Bureau County Administrator with 30 years of public and private administrative experience in human resources, healthcare, education and civilian military service.

“We have been looking to expand and diversify our board for several years, especially with our current growth and desire to expand our service area,” Eschbach said. “The new board members bring a wealth of business experience, community involvement, philanthropy, and commitment to the mission and goals of the SRCCF.”