Bita Dayhoff, a 20-year veteran of the Howard County Community Action Council, was named the permanent president Tuesday evening. The agency is the county's private, nonprofit anti-poverty group.
"I'm really, truly honored to be serving in this role," she said. She was chosen over about 40 other applicants from across the country to lead the agency, which has a staff of 80 and manages about $10 million a year.
Dayhoff, 45, of Clarksville has been acting president since July, when James B. Smith resigned from the post after four years. He gave no explanation. Dayhoff joined the agency in 1989 as director of administration, she said, and has held a series of senior posts, ranging from chief financial officer to vice president over the years.
She plans to make boosting the agency's public profile and strengthening ties to other local service groups her main emphasis, she said.
"Community Action Council has been around for over 40 years, but there are still people not aware of who we are and what we do," Dayhoff said. The agency administers funds for eviction prevention and help for people unable to pay their utility bills, operates a food bank, the county's North Laurel Multipurpose Center, and is often the agency of last resort for people in crisis. In addition, CAC runs the Head Start program.
"The No. 1 challenge now is that the face of poverty is really expanding," Dayhoff said, with often highly educated homeowners and professionals suddenly finding themselves in dire economic straits as the recession takes its toll on jobs and with foreclosures.
Board chairwoman Natalie Janiszewski said in a prepared statement that Dayhoff is a "highly competent and qualified professional" with "remarkable administrative leadership and management skills."
Her performance as acting president convinced the board she'd make the best leader among the applicants, Janiszewski said. The agency had also completed a compensation study that recommended a substantial increase over the $88,828 pay Smith earned. Dayhoff will get $120,000 a year, she said.
- Larry Carson
