LuAnn Porter To Retire As Executive Director of United Way of Becker County

Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM) – LuAnn Porter, who has served the community with the United Way of Becker County for 32 years, announced that she will retire from the role of Executive Director at the end of December 2022.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your many compassionate actions,” Porter shared on Wednesday. “As community leaders, volunteers, partners programs, and donors – and what they have meant to our community, our United Way, and to me, both professionally and personally. The United Way enabled me to put into action what I learned from my parents and family: the value of community service, the importance of relationships, and the belief that we can, and always will do more together than we do alone.”

Terry Haus will take over the role of Executive Director on January 1st.

LUANN PORTER RETIREMENT STATEMENT:

Dear Friends:

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your many compassionate actions – as community leaders, volunteers, partners programs and donors – and what they have meant to our community, our United Way, and to me, both professionally and personally.

With gratitude, I’m sharing that I am retiring as Executive Director of United Way of Becker County at the end of the calendar year, capping a 32-year career with the United Way.

The United Way enabled me to put into action what I learned from my parents and family: the value of community service, the importance of relationships, and the belief that we can, and always will, do more together than we do alone.

To my extended family of volunteers, RMCEP staff, colleagues, and partner programs I say Thank You!  You continually demonstrate compassion and resiliency, in meeting the needs of our friends and neighbors in Becker County. 

United Way has always been the organization you can count on when times are tough and that will not change. Thanks to dedicated volunteer leadership, community volunteers and community partners, United Way will continue to find and support the best ways of bringing people and resources together to meet immediate needs and find long-term solutions to the most basic needs.

It has been a wonderful ride and I am proud of the good work we have done together and the difference it has made in the lives of so many. The people I worked with every day are just like family. The board members over the years have been phenomenal.  It is my hope you will show our new Executive Director, Terry Haus, the same support you have shown me over the past 32 years. 

The following wisdom from Maya Angelou has guided me as I trust it will you: “Do the best you can. But when you know better, do better.” I hope I did. I hope I have.

Thank you again for your many compassionate actions, support, partnership, and friendships over the years. I remain humbled and grateful.

Sincerely,

LuAnn Porter
Executive Director

United Way of Becker County