Foundation hires prominent community advocate

The Pinellas Community Foundation hired Mack “Duggan” Cooley III to be its next executive director.

Cooley will replace Julie Scales, who is retiring from the nonprofit group after leading it for more than a decade beginning in October 2003. During her tenure, Scales helped increase the foundation's assets by more than $40 million.

"Julie Scales has been an exemplary leader whose tireless dedication has brought hope and strength to Pinellas County's most deserving residents,” says Byron Smith, chair of the foundation's board of governors. “Julie has raised the bar for all nonprofit leaders in the Bay area, and we are confident her successor, Duggan Cooley, will continue to enhance the strength of the foundation's charitable impact.”

Most recently, Cooley worked as president and CEO of the United Way of Pasco County. There, he boosted the organization's visibility and spurred fundraising growth that has exceeded national United Way averages. Prior to that, he was the president and CEO of Religious Community Services Inc. for five years, during which he increased services by roughly 35%, and led Leadership Pinellas.

He also is chairman of the Pasco County Homelessness Coalition and worked on the boards of the Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger and the Pasco County Economic Development Council.

“This foundation enhances the lives of every Pinellas County resident, which is why I'm eager to accept the challenge of further magnifying the impact PCF has on making this community such a fortunate place to be able to call home,” Cooley says in a statement.

In operation for five decades, the foundation financially supports 85 different groups that provide various social and other services to county residents.