Dave Barringer Named CEO for National Society of St. Vincent de Paul

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- David Barringer has been named chief executive officer for the National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul.  He succeeds Roger Playwin, who is retiring as CEO.

Barringer brings more than 25 years of experience in both nonprofit and for-profit management to the position, including operational, development, public policy, fundraising, retail and marketing skills.  His professional experience includes positions in healthcare, as well as progressively more responsible positions with Goodwill Industries, a $4 billion membership organization of nearly 200 agencies. Most recently, he served as executive director of the COPD Foundation, a $10 million national nonprofit agency that assists individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.     

A native of Washington, D.C., Barringer has a bachelor of science degree in journalism and public relations, and a master of science degree in general administration (marketing administration), both from the University of Maryland.      

"Dave was an outstanding candidate among a number of distinguished applicants for the position," said Sheila Gilbert, president of the national council.  "The list of his qualifications is extensive.  Among others, he is a true servant-leader and has an extensive track record of working with volunteers and finding creative ways to engage people at all levels.  The Society and those we serve are blessed to have his leadership."

"I am thrilled to take on this role," said Barringer, "and I'm eager to tackle the challenge of bringing greater awareness and a more effective response to the issue of poverty.  More than 46 million people in the United States are living in poverty, an all-time high, and about a third of them are children under the age of 18.   As a nation, we can, and should, do better."

One of the largest charitable organizations in the world, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (www.svdpusa.org) is an international, nonprofit, Catholic lay organization of more than 770,000 men and women who voluntarily join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy and suffering in 149 countries on five continents. With the U.S. headquarters in St. Louis, Mo., membership in the United States totals more than 148,000 in 4,300 communities.  Programs include home visits, housing assistance, disaster relief, job training and placement, food pantries, dining halls, clothing, transportation and utility costs, care for the sick, the incarcerated and the elderly, and prescription medicine.  Last year, SVdP volunteers and staff performed approximately 11.5 million service hours, provided approximately $767 million in tangible and in-kind services, made more than 1.6 million person-to-person visits (homes, hospitals and prisons), and helped almost 15 million people regardless of race, religion or national origin.

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Charles B. Henderson
Office: (314) 576-3993, ext. 214
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SOURCE Society of St. Vincent de Paul