Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bay Area Reporter - August 30, 2007
Seth Hemmelgarn
The general manager position replaces the store's executive director position.
Under One Roof has distributed $3.8 million since it opened in 1990 and currently gives money to 29 organizations. It also hosts annual fundraisers, such as Sparkle SF, the November Champagne and sparkling wine tasting auction.
Burns, 49, once owned the Castro Kitchen Supply Company and has a mix of corporate, retail, and nonprofit experience. He said that he and Under One Roof's board of directors will consider "a broad spectrum" of possibilities for the shop over the next year or two.
The need for the store is increasing, Burns said.
"We're in a market where the funds are much more desperately needed," he said, referring to government cuts to agencies that serve people with HIV and AIDS. Plus, he said, "As the face of AIDS changes, the base becomes broader in terms of need." Populations outside the LGBT community are more affected by HIV and AIDS than they were when the shop opened.
Burns said Under One Roof hopes to go "broader and deeper," giving more money to more organizations. Additional store locations could also be discussed, he said.
Derek Barnes, chairman of Under One Roof's board, filled in at the top post after former Executive Director Mike Marshall resigned last December. The firm Hodge, Niederer and Cariani conducted the search.
Barnes said finding the ideal person was challenging, since Under One Roof is "a two-headed organization" with the characteristics of both a nonprofit organization and a retail business.
"I'm just thrilled," he said of Burns joining the organization. "He has a great range of business experience and is well-connected to nonprofits in San Francisco."
Burns, who is gay and was diagnosed with AIDS in 1997, lived in the Castro for 10 years. He had to close his kitchen supply company when he got too sick. He then went on disability for three years. He said that he's been a client of several of the organizations that he now works with through his new job.
Most recently, Burns served as vice president of operations and administration for Portland Computer Copy Inc., a small family-owned retail and service business in Portland, Maine.
Burns said he's happy that his new job combines so many of his skills and interests. Besides his experience as a Castro business owner and resident, he's worked in senior executive management positions for companies like Charles Schwab and has served on nonprofit boards.
"I don't think of this as a job," he said. "It uses everything I've done in my background to help the organization go forward in a strong way."
Burns declined to state his salary, but said it's less than he made in the corporate world. The agency's annual budget is $1.1 million, Barnes said. When Marshall was hired the salary was $90,000.
Under One Roof, which sells items ranging from home decor to kids' toys, has seven full and part-time staff, as well as 90 active volunteers. Burns said the majority of items in the shop are purchased by the organization through contributions from the groups it works with, but they also receive donated items.
Under One Roof will be holding a Labor Day sale this weekend. For more information, visit http://www.underoneroof.org
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