Linda Gillman has been selected to serve as the first-ever administrator for the Jackson County United Way. Gillman, who also is the administrator for Sylva Partners in Renewal, will use her office at 773 West Main in Sylva to house both organizations.

Gillman has a 30-year background in nonprofit management and holds the distinction of being a Certified Association Executive, which she earned from the University of Georgia’s Institutes of Organizational Management in 1981. Gillman, who moved to Sylva from Atlanta in 1981, was Executive Director for several Chambers of Commerce in Georgia, the Georgia Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association, and the Jackson County Family Resource Center in Webster before semi-retiring to become the part-time administrator of Sylva Partners in Renewal. Gillman, who has been an active volunteer in Jackson County, has served on the numerous boards in both Haywood and Jackson County and was the chair of the Design Committee of Sylva Partners in Renewal during the Main Street renovation.

“I’m excited about this additional way to serve my community,” said Gillman.

In this new part-time position, Gillman will manage the day-to-day tasks involved in running a volunteer nonprofit organization and will work closely with the board to plan and implement the fall campaign.

“The 2005 goal has been set at $85,000, and it is more important than ever that we reach out to everyone in our community in order to achieve this goal. Reaching the goal is vital if we are to provide an adequate level of funding to our participating agencies. I plan to work with volunteer teams from all parts of the county in this regard and look forward to an enthusiastic response from the community.”