Anderson is new executive director of Love INC

For more than a decade, Vicki Conn has been the face of Love in the Name of Christ of Greater Holmes County as its executive director, the catalyst that had the vision to bring the nonprofit organization to life in its effort to meet the needs of those struggling with a variety of things by teaming up with area churches.

Recently, Conn felt called to take on another role within the organization, this one being for Love INC National, where she has become the new developing affiliate specialist.

Conn’s role in developing the blueprint for Holmes County’s organization helped bring her to the attention of Love INC National leaders, and her zeal for serving in that capacity made her their choice to fill the role.

“I’ll be walking with leaders in other communities around the nation as they start their walk with Love INC,” Conn said. “When we started 12 years ago, I was being coached, so now I get a chance to do the same thing.”

That effort will include helping communities form a Love INC Board of Directors and helping them create a community kickoff. She will train leaders and help them grow into their roles.

Conn said when she saw the job posting, one she had applied for years ago, she felt inspired and called to apply, stating God would lead her where he wanted her.

She said Love INC National has had so many requests from communities wanting to start their own organizations that there was a true need to fill this role immediately, and the fact that Holmes County was already a national affiliate training site kind of put her in the spotlight already.

That her new role includes evaluating situations and guiding people to help others was too good to pass up.

In her place steps a familiar face to Love INC, that being Jordan Anderson, transportation coordinator and longtime volunteer and a board member as of 2024.

Both Anderson and Conn are eager to see the new executive director continue to guide the team and its many volunteers toward its effort to meet the needs of many families throughout the county.

“It’s going to be exciting to get out into the community and into the churches and start building new relationships,” Anderson said. “Right now I’m focusing on absorbing all of the information, asking questions and relying on this amazing, supportive team as I get my feet under me. We’ve got an amazing group here that works together so well.”

Conn said one of the best things about her new role is twofold: She can continue to serve others through Love INC, which is a true passion for her, and she can work at her new job from home.

“God’s timing was absolutely perfect,” Conn said. “That I know the program so well will make it an easy transition.”

Anderson is a West Holmes High School graduate, so she understands a great deal about the county and its people, which will help her grasp the role.

Conn said the new leader understands just about every aspect of the organization and is a perfect fit.

Anderson said when Conn initially came to her church at Ripley Church of God and made a presentation years ago, she knew immediately she wanted to be involved with the organization in some fashion.

“Vicki talked about giving a hand up and not out and walking with people without giving them a quick fix, and I was sold,” Anderson said, starting her career as a phone volunteer before getting involved in many aspects of Love INC.

Anderson took over the reins June 18 and dove right into the new role.

She said she felt God calling her to action even during her time working in the surgery center in Wooster the past nine years, and she too said the timing was great.

“I could feel something was coming; I just didn’t know what and when. When this opened up, I thought maybe that was the calling,” Anderson said.

Conn said Anderson has a way of sharing compassionately with others and has a humble, Christ-reflective heart that shines.

Love INC board member Chris Bower said of the transition, “Vicki did some really big stuff, and we’ve got more on the horizon. It feels good to get all of the pieces on the chess board and in place, and we are excited for the vision and energy Jordan brings to the role.”

Bower said Anderson will be eased into the role and remain as the transportation coordinator for the time being.

She said they also know Conn is only a phone call away, and the former director said she has invested far too much into the organization to ever let it go, knowing her heart will always be in the Holmes County version despite her new role that branches out nationwide.