Sharon Moone-Jochums has felt the call to move to Sarasota, Fla., to be with family. So as of June 30, the chief executive officer of Easter Seals of Arkansas is retired from her job, and in the process of exchanging the Natural State for the Sunshine State.
Rick Fleetwood, board chairman, wouldn't let her slip quietly into the night. He hosted a reception Tuesday for Moone-Jochums in his Heights home.
Guests, who included Easter Seals board members, staff and some of Little Rock's well-traveled names in philanthropy, came to say goodbye, enjoy refreshments, and watch while Fleetwood and fellow board member Warren Simpson presented her with a proclamation; a letter from Gov. Mike Beebe; and, from Fleetwood, a trophy bearing a heart-shaped sculpture.
Moone-Jochums came to Easter Seals in 1991 and parlayed a $4 million budget into one $18 million larger. Under her leadership the agency enjoyed an expansion of programs, land, capital funding and facilities, including the Sharon Moone-Jochums Center for Training and Wellness.
She didn't want to take all the credit. "Nobody does these jobs by themselves," she said, on the verge of crying during a short speech. "We have a wonderful staff at Easter Seals. ... It's taken all of us."
-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams
High Profile on 07/20/2014