Sam Sipes Named as

New LSF President/CEO

9 July 2007

The Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) board of directors announced today that Sam Sipes, President and Chief Operating Officer of Austin-based Lutheran Social Services of the South (LSS), has been chosen as the agency’s new President and CEO succeeding James A. Wells, current LSF President and CEO, 65, who has decided to retire after leading the agency for the past nine years. Sipes will assume his new position on September 1st and Wells will be available during a short transition period.

Sipes brings to his new position an extensive background in leadership roles in nonprofit organizations, as well as experience in social services, child welfare (foster care, domestic and international adoptions), and programs for senior citizens. During his tenure, LSS became the largest provider of children’s residential services in Texas with an annual operating budget of more than $100 million and its foster care program grew from serving 13 children to nearly 3,000 children. Sipes also was instrumental in providing services to senior citizens, as well as expanding LSS Disaster Response across Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

“We welcome Sam Sipes to “The LSF Family” and look forward to working with him as we continue to expand our programs to serve Florida’s children and families in need,” said Roger Sellew, Chairman of the LSF Board of Directors. “This year marks the agency’s 25th anniversary of helping people in need and we believe Sipes’ knowledge and expertise will contribute greatly to the growth of Lutheran Services Florida during the next 25 years,” he added.

“I have had great joy serving those in need through LSS,” Sipes said. “And I look forward to taking the lessons I’ve learned during my time here to Lutheran Services Florida, where hopefully I can continue making a difference.”

Prior to his position at LSS, Sipes was employed at the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation where he shared responsibility for implementing statewide programs and developing state policies and procedures for people with mental illness and developmental disabilities. Currently, he serves on the boards of the New York-based Council on Accreditation of Child and Family Services, the Dallas-based Texas Mezzanine Fund, and the Austin-based Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest.

Lutheran Services Florida is a statewide, nonprofit, human services agency dedicated to helping all people in need regardless of religious affiliation, age, or national origin. Headquartered in Tampa, the agency operates more than 65 programs throughout Florida. During the past 25 years more than 850,000 in need have received assistance from LSF to rebuild their lives.
 

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