First Stop is proud to introduce Jennifer Geist as our new Executive Director.
Jennifer Geist joins First Stop with over 25 years of corporate and nonprofit leadership experience.
Jennifer joins First Stop with more than 25 years of experience in employee and community engagement, public relations, program development, and corporate leadership. Most recently, she’s held leadership positions at The Salvation Army of Huntsville & Madison County, as well as the Downtown Rescue Mission. Prior to that, she worked in employee engagement and development for Teledyne Brown Engineering in Huntsville. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire and a Masters degree in Behavior Analysis & Therapy from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
“We’re excited and fortunate to have Jennifer lead First Stop,” said Paul Pradat, President of the Board of Directors. “She has a passion for working with the homeless, and her proven track record of leadership, along with the relationships she’s established in the Huntsville community over the last several years make her the perfect fit for First Stop at this critical time.”
Jennifer consulted with First Stop in 2020 to define and implement a new client Enrichment Program focused on providing education, mentoring and support through programs and courses led by First Stop staff, volunteers, and community partners. “It’s been a pleasure getting to know the First Stop staff and operations over the last year,” said Jennifer. “First Stop is a wonderful organization that not only provides services to the homeless, but exists to assist clients out of homelessness and into permanent housing. That’s why I’m here, and I’m excited to get to work.”
Tim Davis, First Stop’s Executive Director since 2019, is retiring but will remain on the Board of Directors. “As Huntsville grows, so will the homeless population. We have to be prepared to address the challenges that will present,” explained Tim. “I’m confident Jennifer will do an excellent job providing community leadership and coordination with other agencies, while also growing the services First Stop provides, including the growth of our Case Management team and Enrichment Program.” First Stop will soon begin construction on an Empowerment Center building to support an expanded Case Management program as part of its “A New Day” campaign.
“I can’t say enough about the incredible work Tim Davis has done over the last 2 years getting First Stop to this point,” added Paul Pradat. “I look forward to continuing to serve with Tim on the Board of Directors, and we’re all looking forward to supporting Jennifer in her new role.”
