Executive Director Rosenkranz announces retirement from OACAC

Following 51 years as an employee of Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC), with 48 of those years as Executive Director, Carl Rosenkranz has announced he will be retiring in December 2022.
“It has been a privilege to be a part of the OACAC family all these years and to contribute to a high quality organization. As I have said many times, our success would not have been possible without the combined efforts of many people: employees, board and policy council members, other volunteers, donors, community partners and related organizations,” said Rosenkranz.
Rosenkranz moved from Massachusetts to Missouri, beginning his lifelong career at OACAC as a VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) Volunteer from 1970-1971. He then served as an OACAC Field Service Representative/Adult Basic Education Coordinator and Neighborhood Centers Coordinator from 1971-1974. In October 1974, Rosenkranz accepted the position of executive director.
OACAC is a nonprofit agency working to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney and Webster counties in southwest Missouri. During his tenure, Rosenkranz has nurtured the establishment and growth of seven core programs, including CSBG Neighborhood/Community Centers, Family Planning, Foster Grandparent Program, Head Start, Housing Assistance, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and Weatherization. Serving people of all ages, the focus of these programs is to improve the quality of life for people, and strengthen communities.   
Rosenkranz has navigated OACAC through challenging years of flat funding and budget cuts through sequestration, steadfastly focused on the needs of low-income individuals and families. He has positively influenced the work of Community Action Agencies across the state through leadership roles with the Missouri Community Action Network, and as a mentor to other Executive Directors.
Rosenkranz’s commitment to community extends beyond his service at OACAC. He has served on the Community Partnership of the Ozarks (CPO) Board since 1998; on the Greene County FEMA Emergency Food & Shelter Board since 1982 and as chair since 1998; on the Project SHARE Steering Committee since 1982; as a board member of the Ozark Region Workforce Development Board since 1980; and as a longtime member of the Board of Directors for Missouri Community Action Network (formerly Missouri Association for Community Action).
Rosenkranz has received many accolades throughout his career, including the Charles Braithwait Award. Braithwait, a longtime friend of Rosenkranz and former executive director of West Central Missouri Community Action Agency, was one of the founders of the National Community Action Foundation and was appointed by President Ford to the Commission for Economic Development. When President Nixon ordered the dismantlement of Community Action Agencies nationwide, Braithwait filed a lawsuit to prevent this action and won. In the spirit of that leadership, Missouri’s premier Community Action Award is given to a recipient who has demonstrated the spirit of and dedication to the mission, vision and values of Community Action. In 2015, Rosenkranz was the distinguished recipient of the Charles Braithwait Award.     
“Carl has spent a lifetime with Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation. He has accomplished more than words can describe. His positive attitude, guidance and support have not only guided OACAC, but also helped other Community Action Agencies in the state,” said Dave O’Dell, OACAC Board President. “The knowledge and history that Carl has experienced will be missed. Carl has a big heart for OACAC, he has spent a lifetime living and breathing OACAC. The OACAC Board thanks him for his contribution and support.”

The OACAC Board of Directors will begin the hiring process for executive director in late July. To provide a smooth transition, Rosenkranz will be part of the orientation process when a new executive director begins later in the year.