Bridgeport Rescue Mission Executive Director Terry Wilcox is retiring from the faith-based nonprofit after serving as its leader for the past 18 years. His last day will be Oct. 31.
The Bridgeport Rescue Mission”™s board has formed a search committee to select Wilcox”™s successor. In the interim, CFO Frank Williams will become acting chief operating officer effective May 1. Frank, the former New York director and United Nations representative for World Vision International, will continue to report to Wilcox.
“Throughout his tenure, Terry”™s insightful and godly influence has shaped the mission and been a positive light within the community, raising awareness and support for our homeless neighbors,” board President Joan McKenzie said.
The board credited Wilcox”™s guidance and direction with helping to grow the mission as one of the state”™s leading providers of food, shelter, addiction recovery programs and other support services for individuals and families who are homeless, burdened by poverty or struggling with other life-dominating challenges.
Most recently, Wilcox led the mission through the acquisition of 725 Park Ave. in Bridgeport which, once fully funded and renovated, will be the home of a community care center positioned to have what the board called “a significantly increased impact in the community over the next five years.”
The 72-year-old Wilcox plans to move with his wife to Florida where he will serve as pastor of Restoration Fellowship Church of Lakeland.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve as executive director of Bridgeport Rescue Mission,” Wilcox said. “I”™ve worked with many boards of directors and teams of people over the past 51 years, but in these past 18 years at BRM I”™ve had the great privilege of working with the best board and staff of my career.”