Congratulations to Queens Community House on the selection of their newest Executive Director, Ben Thomases.
“Thomases is currently Executive Vice President for Programs at Seedco, a national nonprofit organization that advances economic opportunity for people, businesses and communities in need. In this role, he has overseen all of Seedco’s programs, including Navigator programs in 4 states that provide in-person assistance to people seeking health insurance through the new marketplaces, and two innovative new career advancement programs in New York. Thomases previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Wildcat Service Corporation, and in the Mayor’s Office as the first Food Policy Coordinator for the City of New York. As Food Policy Coordinator, Thomases led the development programs to bring produce carts and supermarkets into under-served communities, oversaw the creation of nutrition standards for the more than 1 million meals served by City agencies on a typical day, and improved access to benefits such as the food stamp program and school breakfast.
Thomases is a native New Yorker, and has a B.A. from Swarthmore College and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.
…Thomases will become only the 4th Executive Director to lead the organization, which was founded in 1975 as Forest Hills Community House and changed its name in 2006. He succeeds Irma E. Rodriguez, who has been with QCH since 1983, and assumes leadership as the organization prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary.”