Mitchell Named Center Executive Director

From the November 13, 2010 Williamsport Sun-Gazette:

There is a familiar name at the helm of the Campbell Street Family, Youth and Community Center.

This week, the center's board of directors unanimously appointed Henry "Hank" Mitchell as its new executive director.

The appointment came "one day shy of the 30th anniversary" of the death of P.D. Mitchell, Henry Mitchell's father and guiding light of the program for more than three decades.

The new executive director is an attorney who recently retired as an assistant district attorney for Lycoming County. His first official day as director will be Monday.

Mitchell's father was director of the community center from 1943 to 1976 at its previous location on Park Avenue and when it was known by the name Bethune-Douglas Community Center.

The center's board issued an announcement about the appointment of the new director Friday in which it noted the father was "one of the most respected community figures in Williamsport and the organization flourished under his leadership."

"We are hopeful that having Hank in this position of leadership will spark new interest and involvement from other members of the community that have wanted to get involved but were hesitant," summed up Kirk Felix, board president.

Felix went on to thank the former executive director, Melodie Russel, and her interim replacement since September, former office manager Lara Schmitt.

He said the new director "will have the opportunity to build on (their) work," and Schmitt said she will remain on staff and looks forward to working with Mitchell.

"I am very happy about the appointment," she said. "I think Hank and I will make a good team."

Felix described "Melodie and Lara (as) instrumental with enhancing the community's trust in (the) organization" and predicted the addition of Mitchell "creates a firm foundation for (the) future as Hank and Lara work together."

Felix said one of Mitchell's main goals will be adding new community programming, adding that - as word of the appointment began to spread - a number of new volunteers expressed interest in vacancies on the board of directors.