CASA of SWMO director exits

Photo courtesy LINKEDIN

Beth Atchison

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southwest Missouri’s executive director for over two years left the nonprofit late last month.

Cindy Norman, board president for the nonprofit that works on behalf of abused and neglected children in the foster care system, said Beth Atchison’s last day was July 24. Norman said the decision was mutual between the board and Atchison, but was unsure if Atchison was moving to a new job.  

“She just decided it was the right time to resign as executive director of CASA,” Norman said. “I don’t have any knowledge of what she’s going to do.”

Attempts to reach Atchison this morning were unsuccessful.

"I am grateful for my time with the agency as CASA serves a vital role in helping the children in our community,” she said in a news release.

After starting in January 2013 as development director for CASA, Atchison took over the top post in March 2015 for four-year Director Pat Reiser, who moved to a different position within the organization, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

CASA of Southwest Missouri advocates for safe, permanent homes for children subjected to abuse or neglect. Its 2016 budget was $315,000, according to SBJ list research. CASA officials did not return a survey to be included on SBJ’s current list of the area’s largest nonprofits.

The board is seeking a new executive director through online job postings, said Norman, noting there’s no set timeline to find the nonprofit’s next leader. The board is handling the executive director’s duties in the interim, she said.