After more than four years at the helm of Rowan Vocational Opportunities, Carl Repsher will be stepping down in June.
“I am retiring so that I can spend more time with my grandchildren,” Repsher said, adding that his son-in-law will be deployed as a military battlefield medic and his daughter and elementary school-age grandchildren will be returning to Salisbury later this year.
As president, Repsher led Rowan Vocational Opportunities (RVO) through a number of challenges and focused on progress. RVO, a nonprofit United Way organization, provides vocational and life skills training to people with disabilities.
Overseeing a staff of more than 30 and a client base of more than 130, Repsher brought new success to RVO in a number of areas, including fiscal efficiency, energy and water conservation, improved risk management, employee incentives and diversity. During his tenure, contract business grew from less than $700,000 to nearly $1 million, and client wages grew from less than $200,000 to more than $260,000. In addition, he successfully lobbied Rowan County for increased funding to RVO.
“As chairman of the search committee that hired Carl Repsher over four years ago, I have watched his gentle and skillful leadership navigate Rowan Vocational Opportunities Inc. through some turbulent times into a vibrant and stable business that is successfully competing in a modern world,” said Mark Perry, former chairperson of the RVO board of directors. “Carl has always reminded us that the purpose of RVO is to serve our clients. It has been an honor and a valuable lesson for me to watch Carl work his magic on RVO for the good of his fellow man and for this community.”
Board Chairperson Felicia Eagle praised Repsher as a passionate advocate for RVO and its clients. “With Carl’s vision, he significantly improved our technology platform and was instrumental in our fundraising for the construction of additional building space for RVO’s Community Alternative Program,” Eagle said. “The board extends a heartfelt thank-you to Carl for his hard work and dedication.”
Rowan Vocational Opportunities is anticipating announcing a replacement in the near future.