May 16, 2025

Dear FeedNC Community,

The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Paul Mihelich, our current Human Resources Director, will serve as the Interim Leader of FeedNC effective July 7, 2025. This appointment will ensure stability and continuity in leadership while we undertake the search for our next CEO.

Paul has been a valued member of the FeedNC leadership team for the past five years. With 26 years of professional experience—primarily in contract labor—he has served in multiple roles at FeedNC, including Volunteer Coordinator and most recently, HR Director. Paul’s commitment to the organization and to his colleagues makes him well-suited to guide FeedNC through this transitional period. For those who know Paul personally, you’ll recognize his passion for his family, the Cleveland Browns, and the NASCAR community. We are grateful for his willingness to step into this important role.

The Board of Directors has also launched the process to identify and appoint the next permanent CEO. A dedicated search committee has been formed, and we are in the process of selecting a recruiting firm to lead a comprehensive search. This firm will help us engage with stakeholders to better understand the qualities and characteristics we seek in our next leader.

What to Expect Next:

• Phase 1: Ensure a seamless leadership transition through knowledge transfer and refinement of the CEO leadership profile.

• Phase 2: Conduct a thorough search process that considers both internal and external candidates, identifying the most qualified individuals for the role.

• Phase 3: Select, announce, and introduce the new CEO to the community. While we are committed to moving efficiently, we are equally committed to a thoughtful and intentional process.

During the coming months, our focus remains clear: to support a smooth transition, conduct a strong and inclusive CEO search, and most importantly, continue delivering on our mission to serve the community.

We look forward to sharing our next update when we are ready to announce our new CEO. Thank you for your continued support of FeedNC and the important work we do together.

With gratitude,
Mark Welch
Board Chair, FeedNC

An Update from FeedNC’s Board of Directors

After 9 years of dedication and visionary leadership, Lara Ingram, CEO of FeedNC, has announced she is pursuing the next step in her professional journey in Illinois. Since joining the agency in 2017, Lara and her team have rebranded the transition of Mooresville Soup Kitchen to FeedNC, evaluated and redeveloped all programs offered to the community, navigated Covid while serving the community each day, completed a successful capital campaign, built the new facility, and demonstrated stability with scaling the organization in response to increased community needs.  

“Being selected to lead the Mooresville Soup Kitchen/FeedNC over the last 9 years has been one of the greatest honors of my life. The achievements and progress for FeedNC were accomplished through preparation, prayer, and perseverance by an amazing team of professional and thoughtful staff, board members, volunteers, and community partners. I am excited about the next step in my professional and personal journey and have complete confidence in the FeedNC team to continue forward progress for those that we serve. I am so thankful for this opportunity to be a part of something as rare and inspiring as FeedNC and can’t wait to celebrate future milestones and impact on those experiencing food insecurity.”–Lara Ingram 

Lara has selected and developed an extremely exceptional and thoughtful leadership team, who will maintain the daily operations of services at FeedNC and continue nurturing community partnerships and relationships while the next steps are determined. Lara will be transitioning to her new role in July of 2025, but will provide continued support throughout the transition as needed. The board will identify an Interim CEO of FeedNC effective in July 2025, to create continuity while the next leader is identified.  

The Board of Directors now embarks on its important responsibility, selecting the next CEO of FeedNC. A dedicated search committee has been formed to identify a recruiting firm that will assist in the selection of our next CEO. The search firm will manage a thoughtful process of listening to our stakeholders to discern the characteristics and desired qualities of the next CEO.  

On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, we celebrate Lara as she embarks on this new journey to impact the lives of families and children in Illinois. Her unwavering dedication to FeedNC has been nothing short of extraordinary, and she will be deeply missed by all who have had the privilege to work alongside her.

Sincerely,
Mark Welch, Chair
On behalf of the Board of Directors