SHANKSVILLE, Pa. — The Friends of Flight 93 organization didn’t have to look far to find its next executive director.
Longtime ambassador and board member Donna Gibson, who spent three years chairing the nonprofit board, was named its to its top administrative post Wednesday.
In doing so, Gibson will lead the Friends of Flight 93′s ongoing partnership and fundraising efforts and oversee day-to-day operations, the group wrote in a release to media.
“I am honored by the board’s confidence in my leadership,” Gibson said. “After serving 11 years as a volunteer and six years in a leadership role, I have an intimate knowledge of the commitment necessary to support this national memorial. I look forward to collaborating with the team to continue the forward movement of this organization.”
Gibson has served in similar roles in the private sector.
Before retiring last year after spending 30 years in the banking industry, Gibson served as vice president for Pittsburgh-based First National Bank.
In 1982, Gibson served as the first director of the Windber Healthcare Foundation, now part of the Chan Soon-Shong Medical Center. At the time, she led the efforts to build the current hospice unit and founded the annual Windber Spirit Classic golf outing.
The Friends of Flight 93 serves as a support arm of the Flight 93 National Memorial — helping share the stories of the 40 fallen passengers and crew members remembered as heroes and raising funds to support the site that honors them.
Under Gibson’s direction, the organization is in “tremendous shape” as members look to continue those efforts and educate “new generations of people on the heroic events that transpired on United 93,” board President Fred Lukachinsky said.
“We are grateful for Donna’s exemplary results and outstanding leadership while serving on the board,” he said.
To accept the job as executive director, Gibson opted out of her remaining term as a Flight 93 board member, officials with the nonprofit wrote in their announcement.
The board’s executive committee now includes Lukachinsky, Vice President Emily Schenkel, Treasurer David Finui and Secretary Tom Rooney.
David Hurst of The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa., wrote this story.
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