The reins of leadership change hands at United Way of Tarrant County at the end of June with the retirement of President and CEO Tim McKinney. He will be succeeded by Chief Operating Officer TD Smyers.
Tim (shown at right in the photo) has been at the helm of UWTC since November 2007. During his tenure, he took a visionary strategic plan from conception to implementation, moving the organization’s longstanding pass-through model to a new results-oriented model embracing nontraditional partners.
He led the way as United Way began its “impact” work in 2010 around 10-year “bold goals” in the areas of education, income and health. This involves more than 100 organizations, including nonprofits, businesses, civic groups, school districts, colleges and universities, and government entities. Through UWTC’s “impact” efforts, students are being equipped for college and career, low-income working families are on the path to financial stability, and adults facing ongoing health concerns—and their caregivers—are enjoying improved lives.
On Tim’s watch, UWTC’s fundraising has placed the organization among the top 4% of all United Ways in America. From 2010 to 2015—not counting the 2016 campaign wrapping up now—UWTC achieved $158.6 million in revenue. During 2015-2016 alone, an initial $15.9 million from the UWTC campaign grew to a $54 million return on investment in terms of total benefit to the community; a 240% increase.
While all of these philanthropic achievements were happening, UWTC’s sound fiscal management was earning a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator five years in a row. That places United Way of Tarrant County among only 6% of charities evaluated by Charity Navigator.
It is not surprising that last year the Fort Worth Business Press named Tim the Top Nonprofit CEO of 2016.
“Tim is universally liked across Tarrant County. His lifelong reputation as an ethical and trustworthy professional is something that’s benefited this organization for a decade, and something that propels us forward,” said TD. “It’s been my privilege to serve as his COO, and to get to know him and Ann as both colleagues and friends.”
Incoming President and CEO TD Smyers (shown at left in the photo) joined the United Way staff in November 2015 in a new combined role of Executive Vice President/Chief Operations Officer and Chief Development Officer. With the subsequent hiring of SVP and Chief Development Officer Leah King, TD focused even more on operations and organizational strategy, leading the strategic direction for United Way activities and increasing effectiveness and efficiency across different departments.
“TD’s strategic expertise, combined with his passion for the community and many relationships with local leaders, make him the ideal person to lead United Way of Tarrant County in the coming years,” said Tim.
Before arriving at United Way, TD served four years as the CEO of the North Texas region of the American Red Cross, a United Way partner agency. There he brought together 12 Red Cross chapters under one leadership structure.
TD’s executive non-profit background began after a successful career in the United States Navy. A native North Texan, he retired in 2011 after his tour as Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, where he aligned strategic planning for five branches of the military. Prior to taking command of NAS Fort Worth JRB, TD served, consecutively, as Director of Congressional Affairs/Legislative Liaison, then as Director of Collaborative Warfare for Navy Aviation at the Pentagon.
TD earned a bachelor’s degree from the United States Naval Academy and a master’s degree from the National Defense University’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He and his wife Barbara make Fort Worth their home.
