A Special Announcement: Presbyterian Agencies Approve Intent to Merge

Austin, TX and St. Louis, MO – Upon the recommendation of a Joint Trustee Committee, the Board of Trustees of two social service agencies, Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services of Texas and Louisiana (PCHAS TX/LA) and Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services of Missouri (PCHAS MO), have approved their intent to merge effective January 1, 2018. “Both Boards have voted unanimously to take the necessary steps towards merger,” shared Bob Farris, Chair of the Joint Trustee Committee and the PCHAS TX/LA Board of Trustees. The new agency will be known as Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS). For the past five years, both agencies have worked side by side under the leadership of Ed Knight, PCHAS of Texas and Louisiana’s President/CEO and PCHAS of Missouri’s Board President.

“For several years, these two fine agencies have developed strong bonds of friendship and trust. As a result, we feel the merged agency will benefit from the collective wisdom and experience both bring to this ministry of serving children and families in need with Christ-centered care and support,” added Farris.

Knight has served PCHAS of Texas for 30 years, the past 20 as President/CEO and, earlier this year, announced his plans to retire at the end of 2017. As a result, both Boards have elected David Thompson to serve as the new agency’s President/CEO. Thompson is currently the Chief Operating Officer and Legal Counsel of PCHAS TX and has served alongside President Knight for the past 18 years. After the merger is completed, assisting Thompson as members of his executive staff will include Linda Bishop, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration; Rev. Peter D. Crouch, Senior Vice President for Development; Robert Giegling, Senior Vice President for Programs; and Randy Spencer, Senior Vice President for Organizational Impact.

The new agency will remain committed to its core goals: helping adults achieve self-sufficiency and enabling children to experience stability through permanent placements. Together, its combined staff of 350 employees will annually serve 4,800 children and families in need through 13 programs in Texas, Missouri and Louisiana.

The new PCHAS will have an annual budget of approximately $28 million which will be funded through private donations, endowment income, and government contracts. Donations will be received at either of the new agency’s two central offices: one located at 5920 W. William Cannon Drive, Building 3—Suite 100, Austin, TX 78749 and the other located at 1220 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132.

For more information, please visit PCHAS’ shared web page: www.pchas.org or contact Noreen O’Brien, PCHAS Communications Manager at 800.383.8147 or noreen.obrien@pchas.org.