Southwest Job Network – SJN

SJN Board Elects New President

Christine Vicari to step down; David Thompson, Corporate Secretary, elected to succeed Christine Vicari as President 

PHOENIX, March 02, 2010 – – Christine Vicari, President and Executive Director of Southwest Job Network (SJN), today announced that after more than seven years she is stepping down as President of the organization she founded. David Thompson, a member for six years and a current Board member, will succeed her in the position of President.

Ms. Vicari intends to stay active in the organization. She will remain on the Board of Directors as a Director at Large.

“After considerable thought, I’ve decided that this is the right time for me to move over and allow someone else to take the helm at SJN,” said Ms. Vicari. “David has made significant contributions to the organization since joining in 2004. He has the knowledge, experience and skills to take SJN to the next level. I am confident that I am leaving SJN’s leadership in very capable hands.”

David Thompson has a long history with SJN     

Mr. Thompson has been involved with Southwest Job Network in a variety of roles during his tenure, most recently serving as Corporate Secretary. His professional background is broad and extensive, including many years’ experience as an information technology executive for multi-billion dollar companies in the retail, distribution and manufacturing industries.  In addition, he has provided consulting services in the telecommunications, financial services and hospitality industries.  He more recently served as the Chief Administrative Officer at Catholic Charities Community Services.

“Following Chris Vicari is an enormous responsibility,” said Mr. Thompson. “Due primarily to her efforts, SJN has become a major job transition resource, a source for job search training, personal contacts and overall support for so many in our community. She leaves a huge legacy, which I plan to continue and build upon. I will do my very best to live up to the high standards she has set.”

 SJN’s roots date back to 2002 

SJN’s roots date back to 2002 when Christine Vicari co-founded a church employment ministry out of compassion for those affected by the 2001 economic downturn. In 2007 the organization had grown so large that Christine moved it to meeting facilities donated by Temple Chai in Northeast Phoenix, changing its name to the Scottsdale Job Network and establishing it as a 501(c)3 organization, a designation pending under the new name. With the severe economic crisis of 2008, membership grew so large that SJN expanded in 2009 under Christine’s direction to serve the Southeast and West Valleys and was renamed Southwest Job Network.

Christine has successfully operated the organization without compensation, planning programs, developing the curriculum, overseeing expansion efforts and developing strategic partnerships. There are no paid employees at SJN, which currently has over 2,600 members, including several hundred supporters and volunteers who perform all training and organizational functions. Membership is free; new supporters and volunteers are always welcome.

In addition to Ms. Vicari and Mr. Thompson, other directors are Dawn Nowatzki, Business Operations Services and Consulting; Raoul Encinas, Vice President of Preod Corporation; Lynn Moran, CEO at Sonoran Life Transition & Performance Coaching; Jason Bressler, Executive Director, North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce; and Rick Gould, Vice President, Gould Intelligent, LLC.

Photos of Christine Vicari and David Thompson: