News Summary
Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa has appointed Dr. Sarah Combs as its new CEO, marking a major leadership shift in the organization. With nearly two decades of nonprofit experience, Combs aims to guide the organization through expansion and enhance services across Pinellas and Pasco counties while ensuring long-term sustainability. The appointment follows a comprehensive nationwide search and coincides with the impending retirement of long-serving CEO Tim Marks, who will assist during the transition. Combs’ leadership is expected to continue Metropolitan Ministries’ mission of supporting vulnerable families in the Tampa Bay area.
Tampa, Florida – Metropolitan Ministries has appointed Dr. Sarah Combs as its new chief executive officer, marking a significant leadership transition for the organization as it embarks on a new chapter. Combs, the third individual to lead the nonprofit in its 53-year history, officially starts her role on August 11, 2023.
Dr. Combs brings nearly two decades of nonprofit experience to her new position, having previously served as the CEO of the University Area Community Development Corporation. She will oversee an extensive team consisting of over 400 employees and 20,000 volunteers stationed across multiple campuses within the Tampa Bay region.
This leadership change comes as Tim Marks, who has been at the helm of Metropolitan Ministries for the past 20 years, prepares for retirement at the end of 2025. Marks will remain with the organization as chief strategy advisor until the year’s end, assisting Combs and the board during the transition period. The selection of Combs followed a six-month nationwide search conducted by the nonprofit’s board of directors, which unanimously endorsed her candidacy.
As CEO, Dr. Combs has set her sights on guiding Metropolitan Ministries through a period of expansion and growth. Her primary objectives include increasing the organization’s service offerings in Pinellas and Pasco counties, enhancing existing programs in Hillsborough County, and securing the long-term financial sustainability of the ministry. Combs’ leadership is expected to continue the organization’s mission of supporting vulnerable individuals and families throughout the Tampa Bay area.
In recognition of her exemplary leadership, Combs was recently awarded the 2024 Overall Winner of Tampa Bay Business and Wealth’s Women Who Win Awards, which celebrates outstanding women leaders in the region.
Metropolitan Ministries plays a crucial role in the Tampa Bay community, serving thousands of individuals and families each year through various services, including food, shelter, and education programs. The organization has long been committed to alleviating homelessness and poverty in the area, making the leadership transition of paramount importance to the continuity of care for those in need.
Tim Marks, the outgoing CEO, has been instrumental in shaping the organization during his tenure, and his praise for Combs as a visionary leader with strong community connections signals a hopeful future under her direction. This leadership transition not only symbolizes a change in leadership but also reflects the organization’s adaptability and readiness to embrace new challenges and opportunities.
The announcement of Dr. Sarah Combs as the new CEO represents a turning point for Metropolitan Ministries, which stands ready to continue its vital services and support for the Tampa Bay area’s vulnerable populations. The focus on growth and sustainability under Combs’ guidance aims to fortify the organization’s ability to fulfill its mission in the years to come.
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Additional Resources
- Tampa Bay Business and Wealth: Metropolitan Ministries Appoints Sarah Combs as CEO
- Wikipedia: Metropolitan Ministries
- Fox 13 News: Metropolitan Ministries Vows to Continue Important Work
- Google Search: Metropolitan Ministries
- St. Pete Catalyst: Metropolitan Ministries Announces Housing Partnership
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homelessness
