SCIL CEO exits nonprofit

SBJ file photo

Emilio Vela

Photo courtesy LinkedIn

Shannon Porter

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Southwest Center for Independent Living CEO Emilio Vela left the nonprofit earlier this year, and an interim leader is now in place.

Deputy Director Shannon Porter in February took over for Vela, who returned to Washington to be close to family, said SCIL board President Randy Custer. He said Vela resigned voluntarily after two years working in Springfield and was not asked to leave the organization.

“His family, his daughter and son and grandson, are still there,” Custer said. “He and his wife decided they really wanted to be back there close to the family.

“I understood his reasoning.”

Vela, who in late 2016 succeeded longtime SCIL director Gary Maddox, and Porter could not be reached for comment by deadline.

Before becoming deputy director and then CEO of SCIL, Vela worked as executive director of the Washington State Independent Living Council.

“SCIL’s mission is my passion and I see great things in our future. I’m proud to work for such a fantastic organization,” Porter said in a news release.

SCIL, which offers disability advocacy services, ranked 13th on Springfield Business Journal’s list this year of the area’s largest nonprofits. SCIL reported 45 employees and an operating budget of $7.8 million.