Warren and Forest County Economic Opportunity Council has new executive director

Submitted Photo Tressa Sweeney was appointed as the Warren-Forest County EOC's Executive Director.
After 36 six years of service, Robert Raible, executive director for the Warren-Forest EOC, retired. His replacement has now been named.
Tressa Sweeney was promoted from within the organization after an extensive interview process. Before the promotion, Sweeney had served as the fiscal assistant and then as the fiscal director for the agency.
While making a leadership transition for a large service agency is daunting, changes were ushered in with support before Raible’s retirement and the new director’s appointment to take over executive director duties.
While the change was described as a “whirlwind in the best way,” Sweeney attributes her relatively uncomplicated transition to all the support she has received.
“Having Bob’s knowledge and help in transitioning and knowing I can call him with any questions, a supportive board, and my management staff have been incredible.” The most overwhelming part is filling Bob’s (Mr. Raible) shoes. He paved the way and did a lot for this community,” said Sweeney.
Under her leadership, Sweeney hopes to have more direct contact with the community. She cites community day, whole agency parade involvement, and landlord engagement as steps being taken to bridge that barrier and make EOC services more accessible to those in need.
Roxanne Carifo, long-time Head Start Director for the EOC, has no doubts that Sweeney will make positive, lasting changes for the community and the EOC.
“She is a go-getter, bringing fresh new ideas of what the EOC can bring to the community,” said Carifo.
Sweeney shared that the organization will conduct a community needs assessment to determine what the agency should focus on when meeting residents’ needs.