By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer

At its meeting on Nov. 28, the Board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton hired Cathy Gardner to serve as the Federation’s new executive vice president. Gardner, who lives in Tampa, will begin her work in Dayton on Dec. 10.

“Among the highly qualified applicants for this position, Cathy stood head and shoulders above the rest,” said former Jewish Federation President Debby Goldenberg, chair of the Federation’s executive search committee. “When Cathy came to Dayton for her final round of interviews, we knew we had found our new executive vice president.”

Gardner has worked in the Jewish communal field for two decades. She most recently served as director of marketing and development with Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services. Cathy has also served as director of the Tampa JCC, campaign director of the Tampa JCC and Federation, and women’s campaign director of the Jewish Federation of Pinellas County, Fla.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing from Georgia State University and a certificate of Hebrew language and Jewish studies from the World Union of Jewish Students in Israel, where she lived for several years. Gardner is a recipient of the Tampa Jewish Federation’s Young Leadership Award and was recognized by the Tampa JCC and Federation as a Woman of Distinction. She is also a Hebrew and English calligrapher as well as a mosaic tile artisan.

“Most importantly, Cathy’s passion for Jewish community is matched by her vision to nurture a more cohesive, inclusive Jewish community in Dayton as we go forward,” said Jewish Federation President Dr. Gary Youra. “We believe it’s a perfect match for our community, for our hopes and dreams.”

“Special thanks go to the members of our search committee and to our search consultant, Dori Danielle of the JCC Association, for helping us identify and secure the right person for the job,” Goldenberg added. “Thanks also go to our current executive vice president, Larry Skolnick, who will be with us through Dec. 19. Larry begins his work as director of the Memphis JCC in January. We appreciate his nearly eight years of dedication and service to our community and wish him and his daughter, Sophie, every success and happiness in the future.”