Tim Carter, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Tarrant County since 2004, left United Way on June 22 to join OmniAmerican Bank as its president and CEO. 

“I have loved working with United Way, particularly with the team of staff and volunteers we have built,” said Carter. “This was not an easy decision. This position came open suddenly, and – after long discussions with OmniAmerican Bank and my family – I decided to accept the job offer.” 

“During the past three years, the United Way of Tarrant County has made significant progress under Tim Carter’s leadership,” said Mitch Weatherly, 2006-2007 chairman of the United Way Board. “While we understand and respect his decision, we hate to see him go. He will be missed.” 

In discussing the future of United Way, Weatherly added, “United Way of Tarrant County remains an important and critical force in coordinating services for Tarrant County citizens in times of need. We must now move forward to ensure United Way’s ability to have an impact on the community and improve lives in the future. In this regard, the Executive Committee has chosen a search committee to find Tim’s replacement, and its work is underway.”

With Carter at the helm, United Way made progress in moving toward a new business model that focuses on the root causes of community issues, in addition to raising funds that support the community. Issues that have benefited under Carter’s tenure include child abuse and neglect, adult literacy, early learning and development, childhood obesity and senior isolation. 

“Tim has played an important role, both internally and externally, in helping United Way make a smooth transformation to better meet the needs of our entire community,” said Weatherly. 

Key among United Way’s accomplishments during Carter’s nearly three-year tenure are the following: 

• United Way raised almost $75 million during the 2004, 2005 and 2006 fundraising campaigns.  

• During the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, United Way’s 2-1-1 information and referral service answered thousands of calls from evacuees seeking shelter, food and other help.  

• United Way created a local Hurricane Relief Fund of nearly $1 million. The funds supported services ranging from childcare to cancer medicine for evacuees in Tarrant County. 

• In 2005, United Way conducted the most comprehensive assessment of community needs ever seen in Tarrant County. The results are providing guidance for communities and services throughout the county.

• The Tarrant County organization was the first United Way in the country to fund a free voicemail service for the “phoneless.” The service, which is administered by Catholic Charities Diocese of Fort Worth, Inc., provides a telephone number that individuals can use to find jobs, housing and social services so they can move toward self-sufficiency.  

• United Way’s Northeast Tarrant office spearheaded the creation of HEB Transit, which provides job-related transportation for low-income residents of Hurst, Euless and Bedford. The service transports individuals to interviews, training, social services appointments and childcare as well as to work sites. It recently expanded its hours to meeting the growing demand for service.  

• United Way created a strategic planning team that will look at ways to reduce child abuse and neglect in Tarrant County.  

Carter’s abilities have been recognized in the community. In 2006, the Lockheed Martin Leadership Association presented Carter with its Manager of the Year Award for his leadership at United Way.