Familiar face to replace retiring Community Foundation director | Gwinnett Daily Post
After 40 years of service to Gwinnett County and many other parts of the state, Judy Waters announced plans to retire from the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia.
The executive director will be replaced by longtime community leader and adept fundraiser Randy Redner, according to a news release from the Duluth-based nonprofit.
“It will be wonderful to leave with sound piece of mind and know that the legacy the foundation has built over the past 30 years is in good hands,” Waters said in the release. “I am excited to work over the next few months to introduce Randy to our donors and help him get oriented to the work that we do.”
According to the organization, which works to disperse charitable funds throughout the community, the outgoing director will work for several months in an advisory role with Redner after he takes the job in May. “I have always been told ‘leave it better than you found it’ and she has certainly done that.”
The foundation’s board feels Redner is up to the task of picking up where Waters leaves off.
A familiar face in Gwinnett, he served as area executive director for the American Cancer Society’s Duluth office from 2005 to 2010. He then became a vice president, managing day-to-day operations for the American Cancer Society’s 14 field offices across the state of Georgia.
While with the society, Redner was responsible for a $21 million fundraising budget.
Most recently he has worked as vice president of income development for the United Methodist Children’s Home in Decatur where he increased donations by 55 percent in 2014.
“We are genuinely excited to have Randy take on this very important leadership role,” said Scott Phelan, president of the Community Foundation. Randy has a great track record and we are eager to see him channel his energy and expertise to grow the foundation.”
In honor of Waters’ retirement, the foundation is establishing the Judy Waters Community Fund to further help the community.
“This is our chance to make a gift in Judy’s name to say thank you to her for the many gifts she has given to our community,” Phelan said.
