Wanda Thacker

The Big Sandy Area Community Action Program Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Wanda Thacker has been hired as the new executive director of the agency. Thacker will take the helm starting Monday, December 3, following the retirement of longtime executive director Mike Howell.

Thacker joined the agency in 2002 and has served as BSACAP’s deputy director since 2005. Upon her appointment as Deputy Director, Thacker created the agency’s communications department, which included the formalization of the agency’s annual report and the institution of the Board of Directors Manuals, the agency newsletter, and our website. She also brought order and enhanced privacy to employee records by formalizing Human Resource processes and creating a distinct department for those processes.

During the burst of funding provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Thacker successfully managed both the Weatherization Assistance Program (approximately $3 million) and the Community Services Block Grant (approximately $1.5 million). Thacker also oversaw increased funding to both the Senior Community Service Employment Program and the Workforce Investment Act Program.

Vice-Chair of the BSACAP Board of Directors A.B. Conley said, “Ms. Thacker was an outstanding candidate for the position. She has been an invaluable part of the agency’s inner workings for a number of years and has shown the kind of talent and skills we need to keep moving forward. The board is confident that Ms. Thacker will be a wonderful executive director.”