FORT SMITH – The Board of Directors of United Way of Fort Smith Area is proud to announce Eddie Lee Herndon as the organization’s President. Herndon comes to United Way of Fort Smith Area from the United Way of West Tennessee (UWWT), where he served as President and CEO.
UWWT served 14 counties, 74 agencies and funded 109 programs under Herndon’s leadership. Since his arrival in 2011, the UWWT received the highest ranking certification for Community Impact from United Way Worldwide for two consecutive years. In addition to his work at the local level, Herndon was also involved at the state level and served as the Vice Chair of Governance and Nominations for the Executive Committee of the United Ways of Tennessee Board.
Herndon graduated from Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn. with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Upon graduation, Herndon went to work for the University as Director of Alumni Relations and Sports Information and just a few years later, was selected to become the University’s Athletic Director. He was twice recognized as the Mid-South Conference Athletics Director of the Year and in 2000 was named the NAIA Region XI Athletics Director of the Year. He served in that position until 2002 and then he went to work for Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing.
Herndon’s involvement throughout the Jackson, TN community was wide and varied. He served on various committees and worked on fundraising events for United Way, the American Heart Association, the West Tennessee Area Boy Scouts Council and the American Cancer Society.
Herndon is very excited to bring his family back to the River Valley area. He and his wife, Erin, both grew up in our area and graduated from Clarksville High School. “The United Way of Fort Smith Area provides an opportunity for me to continue my work with United Way and serve the local community and partner agencies,” Herndon said. “I am able to bring my bride back home to be near her family, and it is a win-win professionally and personally.” Herndon’s oldest daughter plays volleyball for Henderson State University in Arkadelphia and his youngest daughter is considering attending college within the state of Arkansas. “I am deeply vested in the great state of Arkansas and am looking forward to not just visiting frequently but, once again, calling Arkansas our home,” Herndon said. The Board of Directors and staff of United Way of Fort Smith Area welcome the Herndon family.
United Way of Fort Smith Area serves Crawford, Franklin, Logan and Sebastian counties in Arkansas and Leflore and Sequoyah counties in Oklahoma, concentrating on services in the areas of Education, Income and Health. To learn how you can help, please contact United Way of Fort Smith Area at 782-1311, on the web at www.unitedwayfortsmith.org or find us on Facebook.