MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Karen Jackson
Director, Program and Marketing
O – 937-252-5700 x3227E – karen.jackson@daytonlec.org
The Life Enrichment Center welcomes Randy Chestnut as its new Executive Director
Dayton, OH —– November 15, 2021 – New Executive Director Announced
The Life Enrichment Center (LEC), a faith-based non-profit working to transform the lives of those fighting addiction, joblessness and hunger, announced today the retirement of Jeff Sorrell, its founder and long-time Executive Director. His retirement will be effective on December 31.
Jeff founded the LEC twenty years ago, with the goal of helping people help themselves. The Center started out as an outreach program offering food to those in need, but Jeff had a much bigger vision. “I wanted the LEC to be a partner with those individuals who were committed to transforming their lives. We don’t want to just give people food, we want to instill in people the inspiration and hope that they have the power to change their lives. We have provided a safe place for
people to address their problems but keep their dignity,” Sorrell said.
Jeff’s vision, leadership, and innovation have been critical to the success of the LEC during its first 20 years and his wisdom and guidance will be sorely missed. But the organization has been blessed to find someone with similar experience and skill to lead it into its next 20 years. The LEC is very pleased to announce that Jeff’s role will be filled by Randy Chestnut, a Dayton native with 25 years of experience working with non-profits and urban ministries in the Dayton
and Cleveland areas.
Randy is a passionate servant with a track record of visionary leadership and strategic execution. He co-founded the Miami Valley Leadership Foundation and was instrumental in designing and implementing the “Hope4” Community strategy, which created community collaborations designed to build flourishing families and communities in various cities and neighborhoods throughout the region. He successfully coordinated “Celebrate Dayton” Block Parties with the
Montgomery County Sherriff’s Office, brought an art/mentoring program in partnership with Montgomery County Juvenile Court Judge Tony Capizzi to Old North Dayton, and mobilized over 8,800 volunteers representing 32 different states and raised $1 million to start new churches in a three-county region in Northeast, OH.
“The board thanks Jeff for his leadership and dedication. It is because of his vision, leadership, and faith that the LEC has been an impactful organization serving East Dayton and the Miami Valley for the past 19 years. He will be truly missed,” said Ricia Ballas, Board Chair. “We are very excited to welcome Randy to our team at the LEC. Following a founder of 20 years isn’t easy but we are confident that Randy’s experience and in-depth knowledge of the community
and its needs will greatly benefit the organization, the community, and the LEC clients. We want him to learn from the successful history of the LEC. We also want him to create a strategic direction that will not only move the organization forward but grow it – and the LEC team – over the next 20 plus years.”
Randy’s first day is Nov. 29, 2021. He is a graduate of the Clear Creek Baptist Bible College in Pineville, KY. He is married to his best friend, Denise. They have two children, Luke and Sarah, and two grandchildren, Myah and Jackson.
“I believe that the new Executive Director has a great understanding of the community’s needs and issues. I have known Randy for 10 years. I consider him a friend and I wish him nothing but the best.” Jeff added, “I am thankful for the LEC’s successes, and how God has blessed the work that I – and countless of others – have done over the past 19 years. I pray and hope that Randy – and the LEC team – can take the LEC in the next 20 years to new levels and new growth.”
For more information, please call the LEC at 937.252.5700.
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The LEC creates value in others by restoring dignity and providing purpose The Life Enrichment Center is a faith-based, non-profit organization working in collaboration with a diverse group of community partners to provide life-building, life-sustaining services to fight the spread of addiction, hunger, and joblessness. Although located on the East Side of Dayton, the LEC serves clients all over the Miami Valley. Formed out of the Back Door grocery ministry of the Dayton Vineyard Church, the LEC became an independent 501(c) 3 non-profit in 2002 and operated on Irwin Street in East Dayton. The LEC outgrew that space by 2008, and after extensive renovations, the LEC opened its current home at 425 N. Findlay Street. It remains committed to providing a safe community and serving all who enter its doors regardless of residency, race, religion, and gender or life circumstance. Driven by a belief that “Everyone Has Value,” and through a posture of “Exchange Charity,” the LEC offers encouragement, empowerment, and incentives to clients for becoming active partners in their own journey to wholeness and purpose-filled living.
