BUNCH TAKES OVER EAST. MO. ACTION

William (Bill) Bunch of Bonne Terre has been appointed Executive Director of East Missouri Action Agency, Inc. (EMAA), effective October 1. The appointment was approved and announced by the EMAA Board of Directors at its meeting in Ste. Genevieve July 19.

"The Board is very pleased to have someone of Bill Bunch's caliber available within the agency to take over the top job," said Tim Evans, chairperson of the EMAA Board of Directors. "I am confident he will lead the agency effectively in confronting the causes and conditions of poverty in the counties EMAA serves."

"I am very pleased to accept the challenge of leading EMAA into the 21st Century," Burch said. "I have roots in community action having been employed at EMAA since 1978. My father was a Board member for the local agency in 1965 and my mother was employed by the agency in the late 1960's. I look forward to working with the staff, Board and funding sources to further improve EMAA's service to the low-income families of Southeast Missouri."

Bunch has had more than 20 years experience in a variety of positions within the agency. For the last eight years, he has headed the Community Services Department, one of EMAA's major program divisions. He attained Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) status in 1997. Bunch is a graduate of North County High School in Bonne Terre and has a Bachelor's Degree in political science from the University of Missouri. He served four years in the US Navy. He is married to the former Debbie Moon. They have a son age 17 and a daughter age 14. His mother, Faith Bunch, was long-time Bonne Terre mayor.

Bunch will replace Robert Fulton of Patton, who has been Executive Director of EMAA for the past four years. During the time between now and October 1, Bunch and Fulton will work closely together in ensuring a smooth transition of leadership for EMAA.

EMAA is a non-profit corporation, recognized under Missouri law as a community action agency. It administers a wide variety of human and community development services in an eight-county service area (Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Iron, Madison, Perry, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Washington Counties). EMAA has a total annual budget of approximately $11.5 million. It has 230 staff members, operates 8 community services offices and 10 Head Start centers throughout the eight counties.