Horizons chief executive officer (CEO) Mike Barnhart has announced his intention to retire, effective Nov. 27.
Mr. Barnhart has informed Horizons staff and key community partners of his plans, according to a release.
After working for other human service agencies such as MidAmerica Housing Partnership and Goodwill of the Heartland, Mr. Barnhart joined Neighborhood Transportation Service (NTS) in June 2000.
After NTS merged with Horizons in 2015, he became chief operating officer for the combined organization. Three years later, he was appointed by the Horizons board of directors as the organization’s CEO.
The Horizons release indicates Mr. Barnhart has had “great success working with youth, older adults, and people with disabilities in the areas of affordable housing and transportation and leveraged his own life experiences into visions and projects that helped Eastern Iowa’s most marginalized and vulnerable populations with innovative and common-sense solutions.”
During his tenure, Mr. Barnhart guided NTS and Horizons through challenging situations, including natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. He also oversaw the strategic focus on Horizons’ three current services.
“I have been fortunate to work alongside some very talented and dedicated individuals,” Mr. Barnhart said. “I am deeply grateful for the support, collaboration, and camaraderie shared with the Horizons staff and the community at large. Everyone’s commitment to excellence and passion for our mission have been constant sources of joy for me.”
Mr. Barnhart will remain with Horizons as a consultant on its proposed Our Place senior center project, while the search is now underway for a new CEO.
“I express my deepest gratitude to Mike for his exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to Horizons and NTS for almost a quarter-century,” Horizons board chair Adam Conzemius said. “His contributions have been invaluable, and his legacy will continue to influence the agency and the communities we serve for years to come.”
