United Way of the Yampa Valley has named Joe Haines to become the nonprofit’s new executive director.

Announced on Saturday, Haines will take over the executive director’s duties July 15.

According to the organization, Haines is coming into the job with more than three decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising and partnership development, making him an ideal candidate for the position.

“I am excited to join a wonderful team at United Way of the Yampa Valley,” Haines said in a statement. “It’s such an important organization for Northwest Colorado. I look forward to working with such dedicated staff, board, volunteers, donors and other stakeholders to grow our impact in our communities across the region.” 

In unveiling the new director, the United Way of the Yampa Valley board members expressed confidence, saying that, “Haines’s leadership will propel the organization to new heights, furthering its mission to improve lives and strengthen communities across the Yampa Valley.”

Haines’s background includes serving as executive director and former board president of Caring Connection, and he has previously worked for Yampatika, where he is credited for helping double the nonprofit’s budget over five years. Haines also has deep experience with workplace-giving organizations, as he has served as a board member and president of Caring Connection.

Additionally, Haines has been a member of the Yampa Valley community since 2016, during which time he has built strong relationships with nonprofit leaders and in the business community, including serving on the Rural Leadership Committee for the Northwest region of the Rural Philanthropy Days program.

Kate Nowak, the current executive director, will remain in the position until Aug. 31 while working with Haines in effort to ensure a smooth transition.

In February, Nowak announced she would retire this fall after working for United Way for more than a decade.

In his statement, Haines applauded Nowak’s work at the nonprofit, which emerged from combining the Routt County and Moffat County United Ways in 2023 to form United Way of the Yampa Valley.

“Kate has done such a wonderful job leading this organization,” Haines said. “I am excited to build upon what she and the team have done these past years.”