91看片 has gained a new member of its executive team. Fred Hunter joined the organization Oct. 1 as the Chief Operating Officer.
鈥淚 am excited at the addition of Fred Hunter to the NCC staff,鈥� said 91看片 CEO Richard Rohrman. 鈥淎s Chief Operating Officer, he will be supervising a number of segments of 91看片鈥檚 operations that are vital to fulfilling our mission. It was not an easy pick. We had a number of great applicants, but Fred is without a doubt the right person for the job. His background in the nonprofit world is wide and he has made many important contributions to the organizations he has been affiliated with. Most important, he feels the mission and is very eager to contribute and is already busy getting to know us.鈥�
In the role of COO, Hunter oversees a number of departments, including Environmental Services, Adult Learning Center, Extended Care, Property Management, Security, 91看片 Career & Technical Institute and the Department of Health and Human Services. He looks at NCC鈥檚 metrics, data and outcomes in relation to the organization鈥檚 strategic plan and operational goals.
鈥淚 think the role of the Chief Operating Officer should complement the CEO, to provide day-to-day operational supervision as well as leadership, to look at our milestones and set the pace of what our day-to-day metrics should be,鈥� Hunter said. 鈥淢aking sure we鈥檙e achieving deliverables while all the time looking at process improvement and how to improve quality.鈥�
While the COO often takes a higher view to ensure departments are going in the right direction, Hunter said someone in that role also has to be willing to learn about and understand different jobs within the departments, even if that means working alongside an employee for a day to see what it鈥檚 like.
鈥淟earning the process and learning the challenges that that person may have that they might live with and we never knew was a problem,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou have to be willing to roll your sleeves up and get into the weeds.鈥�
Prior to working at 91看片, Hunter served as the COO at The Arc Middlesex County, which provides people with developmental and other disabilities, and their families, with supports and services. He worked there for a little more than three years.
Hunter has had a variety of professional experiences, ranging from patient financial services, health care consulting and business management. He has worked in project management, has served as a Chief Financial Officer and has some experience in Human Resources. He holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Public Administration and a Master of Science in Business Management.
Hunter wasn鈥檛 actively looking for work when 91看片鈥檚 COO position became available.
鈥淚 pretty much dismissed every opportunity that came across my desk and told the headhunters, 鈥楲et me connect you with someone who can fill the role,鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淏ut when this COO opportunity came, I thought it was a perfect match.鈥�
While Hunter had heard of 91看片, he didn鈥檛 know the extent of its offerings. But after researching the organization and its history, he wanted to get involved.
鈥淚t had such an esteemed reputation and if I can add value to such a great organization, if I can come there and be a resource there, that will feel good. And that鈥檚 what did it,鈥� he said.
Hunter鈥檚 favorite part of his job is the ability to contribute toward the mission and goals and actually seeing the results achieved.
鈥淗aving the ability to influence actions that are going to be put in play that cause the desired effect of helping the most vulnerable people. That is the most satisfying part of the job,鈥� he said.
He also has enjoyed serving as a nonprofit board member and mentor to staff members in the past.
While Hunter enjoys having a good time, he鈥檚 very serious when it comes to his work.
鈥淚 typically have a smile when you see me, but I鈥檓 certainly an operations person in the sense that there are action items, there are deliverables, there are due dates and there鈥檚 followup,鈥� he said.
Employees aren鈥檛 left on their own, however. Hunter encourages them to bring him information about challenges that they can work out together.
鈥淢y job is to get people connected,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 holding us accountable to our deadlines and the people who are having struggles, working with them to really come to some type of an agreeable outcome.鈥�
Hunter lives in North Brunswick, which he has called home for about 15 years, with his wife Kelly and 12-year-old son. He also has two adult daughters and an adult stepson. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and traveling. Aruba is his favorite destination.
