Bethel Bible Village Board Chair Lennie Furr and Executive Search Committee Chairman Kevin Whiteside have announced the appointment of Rosalind Connor as the organization’s president and Chief Executive Officer. Bethel is a nonprofit organization that serves children and families in crisis in the Chattanooga region.
Ms. Connor most recently served as chief operating officer at Benefit Communications, Inc. in Nashville. Her previous executive experience includes assistant vice president at Unum, where she served various business areas for 15 years, including Unum’s UK operation. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
“We are excited to welcome Rosalind Connor as the new president and CEO of Bethel,” said Lennie Furr, Bethel’s board chair. “After much prayer and due diligence, it was evident that God had provided us with a strong leader, one who stood out among a field of very qualified candidates who applied for this position.
Rosalind comes to us with a background in business, where she excelled in her leadership roles. Clearly, she has the expertise to take Bethel to the next level, allowing us to help more families and children in crisis at a time the need for our services is growing. Above all, Rosalind’s passion for our kids and prayerful approach to this calling make her a natural fit to lead our organization.”
Ms. Connor and her husband John are members of the Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal on Lookout Mountain, where they raised their two children, Sally and Jack. Rosalind has enjoyed living in Nashville for the past several years but is looking forward to moving back “home” to Chattanooga.
“I have had the privilege to serve in an executive capacity for two excellent companies in my career of 20+ years, including a multinational Fortune 500 organization” said Ms. Connor. “I am excited to take the expertise I’ve gained in the business sector to lead Bethel Bible Village, a cause I believe in with my whole heart.
“Most importantly, I feel called to Bethel. The lyrics from one of my favorite songs, ‘Children go where I send thee, how shall I send thee?’ speak to me so strongly at this season in my life. I am thrilled that God has sent me to Bethel at a time the organization is expanding its ministry to provide healing and hope to more families and children in crisis. I cannot wait to get started.”
Ms. Connor, who is the first woman to step into the role of president and CEO at Bethel, will assume her duties on Dec. 31. Cecil Hammontree, who has led Bethel during the executive search for a new president, will return to his previous role as Bethel board treasurer.