Cookeville Rescue Mission Preparing To Hire New Director After Bailey Resigns

The Cookeville Rescue Mission is in the early stage of hiring a new director, after Bruce Bailey stepped down last Wednesday.

Board Chair Bubba Winningham said the board plans on posting the job and taking candidates into consideration starting December 18. Winningham said they want their next hire to be able to reach out and get the community involved with the Cookeville Rescue Mission.

“One of the biggest things is we want that community support,” Winningham said. “We want that community outreach, and so our next director we’re hopeful that when we bring them on. That’s a big part that we’re looking for is for them to be able to reach out and help others but also work with other community partners.”

Winningham said tenured employees Ronnie Lindsey and Sammy Anderson are temporarily running the day-to-day operations.

“It’s in great hands right now as we go through this phase, as we go through the application process and the hiring process,” Winningham said. “So we have no worries that the rescue mission will continue to serve.”

The director responds directly to the board and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Rescue Mission. Winningham said they are responsible for budgets, public relations, implementing strategy, hiring and fundraising.

“We’ve purchased the Johstone Supply Building, so we have some plans for that some growth there, and so that person will have to be, we’re looking for them to be knowledgeable about how we can expand, and how we can best serve more occupants within the rescue mission and better house occupants within the rescue mission,” Winningham said.

Bailey announced his departure as Director on the Cookeville Rescue Mission’s Facebook page. He had served in the position for over five years.

“It will definitely be challenging,” Winningham said. “Luckily we are part of a community that wants to help, wants to reach out and kind of help each other with our homeless population. I think we have a lot of people willing to step up and do that, so I’m hopeful about the prospects that will be applying. I’m excited.”