Kate Bauer-Jones has been named the new President / CEO of United Way of the Florida Keys. Bauer-Jones replaces Margie Smith, who resigned last month to join her husband’s investment management firm in Islamorada. The new United Way President has an extensive history in nonprofits, having worked in leadership roles with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Collier County and YMCA of the Palms in Collier and Lee Counties. Most recently, she served on the education team with United Way Suncoast in Tampa.

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia, she worked as a teacher of primarily special needs children both in Florida and in a high risk public school in the South Bronx. She received a Master’s in Education, Management and Innovation from Western Governor’s University, and is currently working towards a Doctorate of Philosophy in Education Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of South Florida. 

  

 

KATE BAUER-JONES

Bauer-Jones said she is “honored to have been given the opportunity to take on a leadership role in such a strong organization as United Way of the Florida Keys.” She said her work at United Way will “focus deeply on the needs of the Keys’ most vulnerable citizens, particularly children and those who are hungry.”  She praised her predecessor, Margie Smith, for doing “such remarkable work growing United Way’s impact and presence throughout the Keys,” and said she believes United Way “is uniquely poised to bring together the resources of the community, including the creativity and partnership of many businesses, individuals and organizations.” 

Leah Maki, United Way Board Chair, said the agency is “thrilled to have found someone as talented and personable as Kate to lead United Way to the next level in the Keys. She has a lot of great ideas for growing our donor base and increasing our impact on the Keys community, and we’re very excited to have her on board.” 

 Bauer-Jones and her wife Beth will reside in Key West.  Her first day at United Way will be Monday, January 26th.

“ALICE folks are our child care workers, mechanics, home health aides, store clerks, office assistants and other workers who provide invaluable services we all rely on in our daily lives,” said Margie Smith, President of United Way of the Florida Keys. “But as hard as they are working, all it would take is one emergency–a serious illness, an expensive car repair, a damaging storm—for them to spiral into poverty.”    The ALICE report is groundbreaking, Smith explained, because it more accurately portrays the extent of financial hardship in Florida. Federal poverty guidelines have not been updated since 1974 and are not adjusted to reflect cost of living differences, Smith said. “This is significant in an area like the Keys, which has traditionally had the highest cost of living in the state.”    

The ALICE report states that 12% of Monroe County households are at or below the federal poverty level, but an additional 36% of households are in the ALICE category—barely getting by. “You really need to combine these two groups,” Smith said, “in order to get a true picture of how many people in our county are struggling financially.”    

It’s important to add, Smith said, that the whole community suffers when ALICE households don’t have enough income. “When ALICE children aren’t ready for school, they add a burden to the educational system. When ALICE households can’t afford preventative health care, they place future burdens on the health care system, increasing insurance premiums for everyone.”    

To access the complete ALICE Florida report, click here.

To access the six-state ALICE report, click here.

In addition to Publix, the top five company donors in 2013–14 were Mariners Hospital ($24,221), Monroe County Schools ($19,470), Hawks Cay Resort ($16,003), and the Florida Keys Electric Cooperative ($14,758). Also honored at the United Way Annual Meeting was Iberiabank, which had the highest participation in its workplace campaign. 100% of Iberiabank employees in the Florida Keys donated to United Way in 2013–14. Board Chair Leah Maki welcomed the 60 donors, prospective donors and agency representatives who attended the United Way Annual Meeting. She had special words of thanks for the five sponsors of the annual event—Publix, Hawks Cay, Centennial Bank, Florida Keys Electric Cooperative and Mariners Hospital. Raffle donors included Hawks Cay and Key Largo Chocolates.

United Way President Margie Smith, third from left, congratulates Publix representatives Steve Levine, Vivian De La Torre, Kimberley Seitz, Paul Bean and Tim Maloney for their company being the top money-raiser in the 2013-14 United Way workplace giving campaign.  Photo by Denis Amed.

Maria Jones, Board Vice Chair, gave an overview of United Way, and told meeting attendees that if they didn’t learn anything else about United Way that day, the most important thing to remember is that all money raised in the Keys stays in the Keys. 

United Way President Margie Smith, who has announced her resignation effective December 31st, noted that the revenue raised by United Way has increased by 54% in the last five years— from $245,000 to $377,000. Later in the program, Board Chair Maki thanked Smith for her exceptional service to United Way, noting that “Margie’s workplace presentations about United Way—and her ability to connect with such diverse audiences—have been a big reason” for the increase in revenue. Smith also described United Way’s “community impact” work. She said United Way “convenes the discussion” to encourage businesses, nonprofits and government to work together to address community needs. She cited United Way’s role in getting fresh meats and produce delivered to food banks throughout the Keys. United Way also conducted a survey of parents about their summer childcare needs, she said, with the goal of creating more summer childcare programs at prices parents can afford. 

Rebecca Horan, Community Investment Chair, thanked the 12 nonprofit agencies United Way funded in 2013-14 for their important work. She introduced Pastor Kerry Foote of Burton Memorial Church, and Elizabeth Adams of Star of the Sea Outreach Mission, who said United Way funding had helped them provide food to the needy. Stephanie Kaple of Florida Keys Outreach Coalition, described how the United Way-funded Activity Center at FKOC helped homeless mothers and children. 

Candy Fincke, Past Board Chair, presented a list of 58 “leadership donors,” who had donated $1,000 or more in 2013-14, and 67 “emerging leaders,” who had donated between $500 and $999. She also acknowledged long-time United Way donors, leading off with Mary Chase of Iberiabank, who has been a United Way donor for more than 40 years.  Leadership and emerging leader donors received special pins and long-time donors received certificates. Fincke herself received a plaque, thanking her for her service as Board Chair. 

Assistant State Attorney Tanner Demerry installed 16 Board members at the Annual Meeting. The 2014-15 Board includes Leah Maki, Chair; Maria Jones, Vice Chair, Trich Worthington, Treasurer; Mindy McKenzie, Community Impact Liaison/Secretary; Candy Fincke, Past Chair; and Tina Boan, Jessica Cranney, Nikki Dunn, Marilyn Fraelich, Andy Griffiths, Rebecca Horan, Richard McChesney, Denise Preuss, Richard Tamborrino, Whitney Trentine and Dianne Weitz. 

Margie Smith, President of United Way of the Florida Keys since January 2010, will leave the agency at the end of this year to join her husband’s investment management firm in Islamorada. Smith said she is excited about her new position but sad to leave a job that has been so much a part of her for almost five years. “As President of United Way I’ve had the unique opportunity to see a detailed picture of who we are as a county, and to interact with so many public service-minded individuals,” she said. “What we have here is special.  I’ve never felt so profoundly connected to a community as I have here in the Keys.”

Smith will join her husband Cale’s firm, Islamorada Investment Management. “This was Cale’s own creation,” she explained. “He’s an independent, registered investment adviser and a fiduciary, which means he’s required by law to act solely in the best interest of his clients. His firm has grown a lot in the past few years and he’s ready now for a major expansion. I’m going to help with that.”

MARGIE SMITH, CENTER, POSES WITH CURRENT BOARD CHAIR LEAH MAKI, LEFT, AND PAST BOARD CHAIR CANDY FINCKE, RIGHT.

United Way of the Florida Keys has been raising funds to support nonprofit agencies in the Keys for more than 30 years. The funds are raised primarily through payroll deductions in the workplace, and all funds raised in the Keys, stay in the Keys. “We’re very sorry to see Margie go,” said Leah Maki, United Way Board Chair, “and very grateful for her outstanding service.” Maki noted that United Way’s annual revenue has increased substantially since Smith became President. “Margie’s workplace presentations about United Way—and her ability to connect with such diverse audiences—have been a big reason for that,” she said.

When Smith arrived in 2010, United Way had raised $245,000 the previous year. Last year, the agency raised more than $400,000.

In addition to providing funds for local nonprofits, United Way of the Florida Keys plays an important role in convening discussions between the nonprofit, private and public sectors to address critical community needs—for example, providing more and better quality food to local food pantries Keys-wide.  Smith made this “community impact” work a priority for the agency, also launching efforts to increase childcare options for Keys parents, expand summer food programs for children, and collect school supplies for needy Monroe County students in the annual “Stuff the Bus” drive.

As a result of these efforts, United Way has become more visible and well regarded in the Keys. “One of the things I’m proudest of,” Smith said, “is that now people all over the Keys know who United Way is and that we have a unique role to play in addressing community needs. While we’ve been supporting the community for over 30 years, we are doing more now and engaging more people in our work than ever before.”

Smith has a Master’s in Public Administration from Southern Illinois University. When she moved to the Keys from Washington, D.C. in 2005, she left behind a career in aviation that started in the field but became increasingly focused on advocacy and organizational reform.  She staffed a Congressional commission that wrote legislation to both restructure the way the aviation industry is financed and regulated and create the federal government’s first Performance Based Organization at the FAA. Smith also represented the nation’s public airports before the federal government at the American Association of Airport Executives, while simultaneously volunteering as the Executive Director of a local nonprofit.  She was a finalist for the prestigious White House Fellowship in 2001. 

Smith resides in Islamorada with her husband and two daughters.

United Way of the Florida Keys will conduct a Keys-wide search for Smith’s replacement, as well as talking to candidates who have led United Ways in other parts of the country.

“We want to find the very best person possible to replace Margie,” Board Chair Leah Maki said. “These are very big shoes to fill. Our ideal candidate will be able to continue the great work Margie’s done and build on it.” The new President will take over on January 1st.

NOTE: UNITED WAY PREVIOUSLY ADVERTISED A JOB OPPORTUNITY AS VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT, KEY WEST. THAT JOB IS ON HOLD UNTIL THE NEW PRESIDENT IS SELECTED.

To view our "Stuff the Bus" press release, click here.

Are you having a hard time finding an enriching, affordable summer program for your children that accommodates your work schedule? United Way of the Florida Keys is leading an effort to address barriers to getting kids quality summer programming, and come up with solutions that work for you. Here’s your chance to weigh in on your childcare needs! The first step to coming up with solutions Keys-wide is to document the need. Just fill out our brief, confidential online survey and be part of this effort to create additional affordable options for Keys families for summer 2015 and beyond. You can find the survey here in English.  For a Spanish version of the survey, click here.  The deadline for filling out the survey is the end of July. Or if you would like to be part of the solution in some other way, contact us at (305) 735-1929. Thank you! 

UNITED WAY HOSTS JAZZ BRUNCH, KEY WEST 'FRIEND-RAISER' 

United Way of the Florida Keys helped launch the Spring social season with two different events--a Jazz Brunch in Islamorada and a "Friend-Raiser" in Key West. 

The lavish brunch, including everything from sliced smoked salmon to shrimp and grits, was catered by Kaiyo and the Green Turtle Inn. Live music was provided by the Island Jazz Ensemble. The 74 attendees also enjoyed endless champagne and a Bloody Mary bar. Sponsors of this event included: Publix, Marker 88, Ocean Sotheby's International Realty, Community Bank, The MIX, The Reporter, Florida Keys Electric Cooperative, Regan Insurance Agency, CBT Construction, RMB Construction, Postcard Inn, Islamorada Investment Management and Southern Wine and Spirits.

More than 100 people attended our “Friend-Raiser” in Key West to find out about the recent work of United Way and to honor local donors. Community leaders and UWFK leadership donors (giving $1,000 or more annually) gathered at the home of Guy Ross and Michael Ruiter for the evening reception.  Several Key West restaurants and catering companies donated hors d’oeuvres for the event, including Azur, Bistro Sole, Café Sole, Camille’s, Doubletree Grand Key Resort, Great Events Catering, Southernmost Beach Café, Square One – New American Table, Three Fine Cooks Catering, and the Westin Key West Resort.  Historic Tours of America donated the invitation graphics. Host Committee members included Dale Bittner, Andy Griffiths, Rebecca Horan, Debbie Mason, Richard McChesney, Mindy McKenzie and Denise Preuss. UWFK Board Chair, Candy Fincke, and President, Margie Smith, welcomed guests and thanked donors for their support.

See below to view photo albums from the two events.  

Jazz Brunch photos donated by Sandra D. Spaulding Photography

Friend-Raiser photos donated by Roberta DePiero

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