CASA of SWMO shuffles leadership

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southwest Missouri appointed a new executive director after four-year Director Pat Reiser asked the board to move her to another position within the organization.

Beth Atchison takes the top job March 1. She’s spent the last two years as development director for the nonprofit, which works on behalf of abused and neglected children in the foster care system.

“I’d like to take a step back, not lose sleep every night, put the weight of the organization on younger shoulders," Reiser said this morning, noting she’ll still work full time. “I’m very much looking forward to not quite as much responsibility.”

As executive director of CASA, Atchison is responsible for leading the seven-employee team and working with the board and advocates, as well as handling resource management and fiscal responsibility.

“Beth is very well equipped to take over the reins,” said Reiser, who worked four years as executive director of Harmony House before joining CASA. “I think it’s an excellent plan.”

In fiscal 2014, CASA of SWMO served 307 foster children with 127 volunteers.[[In-content Ad]]