Second Harvest of the Big Bend is excited to announce the appointment of James R. McGowan as Director of Philanthropy. As the newest Second Harvest team member, McGowan will lead the food bank’s fundraising efforts.
McGowan brings extensive experience in fundraising and disaster relief for nonprofits to Second Harvest. Previously, he served as Director of Development and Philanthropy at the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. He also served as Chief Operations Officer and Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives for National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, where he spearheaded technology initiatives to provide real-time, local and accurate information during emergencies.
In 2005, McGowan was appointed by Alabama Governor Bob Riley to serve as the Development Officer for the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
“On behalf of the board, staff, donors and volunteers we welcome James to our team,” said Monique Ellsworth, Second Harvest’s CEO. “He has proven to be a committed advocate for those in need, and we look forward to utilizing his expertise to strengthen Second Harvest so that we may feed more of our hungry neighbors.”
“I’m elated to join the exceptional team at Second Harvest of the Big Bend,” McGowan said. “I look forward to working alongside our staff, donors, the board of directors and various partners to close the food insecurity gap in the Big Bend region.”
One in five people in the Big Bend experience hunger on a regular basis. During the past year, Second Harvest food bank distributed enough food through our 135 partner agencies to provide 10.6 million meals to those in need.
