The United Way of Elizabethton/Carter County announced Friday the hiring of a community impact coordinator, a new position for the organization. Josh McKinney, of Elizabethton, will take on the role. He takes the place of former Executive Director Cheri Tinney.

Though possessing a different title, McKinney will effectively serve as director for the organization. Tinney, who served as executive director for more than a year and a half and now serves as the community resource specialist for the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library, said she is excited about the new hire.

“Josh is a great fit for the United Way,” she said. “I am working with him now to help make the transition as smooth as possible. Once he gets his feet under him, I know he is going to make a big difference in our community.”

McKinney’s new title represents a continued focus on being present in the community, according to Kris Yarlett, president of the UWECC Board of Directors. He believes that emphasis will be key to both McKinney and the organization’s future.

“Cheri was an excellent director who made the United Way’s presence known in the community,” Yarlett said. “With Josh, we’re going to push that presence even further, until the impact that the United Way can make in this community reaches its greatest potential.”

McKinney, a graduate of East Tennessee State University, comes from a background of community work. He was an Americorps volunteer, and he served the Town of Unicoi as their community relations coordinator. He also spent several years at Eastern Eight Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit housing organization in Johnson City, Tenn. He grew up in Kingsport, Tenn., where he also pastors a church. He believes his past experience will be vital in his new role.

“I want to be a servant,” McKinney said. “I’ve been blessed to be a part of some great organizations that helped a lot of people, and each experience has prepared me for this new role. There is no limit to what the United Way can do for our community if the community will support it, and I am humbled by the opportunity to help everyone see that.”

For more information or to support the United Way in Elizabethton/Carter County, visit www.uwayecc.org.